Meetings
- Held once annually at a minimum
Members
The Public Defense Advisory Committee has 5 members.
Specifications
- 1 Appointee of the Whatcom County Bar Association -Emily Beschen
- 1 County Council member - Kathy Kershner
- 1 District Court Judge - Judge Tony Parise
- 1 Non-lawyer appointed by the County Executive - Nadene Kaaland
- 1 Superior Court Judge - Judge Rob Olsen
Term Limit/Length
- Bar Association appointee and Executive appointee only - two consecutive two-year terms.
Purpose
The Public Defense Advisory Committee shall advise the County Executive and County Council on matters regarding the defense of the indigent, and shall submit its observations of the public defender system to the Executive and the County Council not less than annually. It shall also serve as the selection committee to fulfill the functions of WCC Section 2.09.100.
Authority