Franklin County hires attorney to manage defense contracts

A long-time criminal defense attorney will oversee the Franklin County Public Defense Office.

Wednesday, the commission agreed to a six-month contract with Larry Zeigler. Zeigler will review and write contracts with the attorneys who provide constitutionally mandated legal services to indigent defendants. He will be paid $100 an hour.

The bicounty Benton-Franklin Office of Public Defense ended on Dec. 31 after eight years. Negotiations to extend an interlocal agreement failed earlier this month, leading Franklin County to create its own office.

The public defense office is the first of several joint operations targeted for dissolution. Tuesday, Benton County Commissioner Jerome Delvin confirmed Sen. Mike Hewitt, R.-Walla Walla, is considering legislation to end the bicounty Benton-Franklin Superior Court, in operation since 1951.

Delvin said Hewitt agreed to introduce a bill if four of the six commissioners in Benton and Franklin counties support it. So far, the three Franklin commissioners say they will not.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Franklin County hires attorney to manage defense contracts."