Defense attorneys sign for 5-years, $1.53 million

Defendants in Whitman County criminal courts who can not afford attorneys will be represented by the Pullman law firm of Snyder and Martonick, after county commissioners Monday signed off on a five-year, $1,533,000 contract.

“This is a very expensive contract,” Commissioner Greg Partch commented. He noted Washington and Mississippi are the only two states to require counties to pay the costs of defendants who cannot afford an attorney.

“This is what would be referred to as an unfunded mandate,” Partch continued. “A huge unfunded mandate. Our state has seen fit not to recognize their responsibility in defending the indigent.”

For their services, John Snyder and Steve Martonick will be paid $181,000 annually from 2010 through 2012.

Pullman attorney John Hart, and Moscow attorney Mark Moorer will be each paid $61,000 per year.

Moorer will represent clients in cases filed in District Court at the county courthouse, while Hart will take approximately two-thirds of cases filed in the district court Pullman courtroom.

The contract will ramp up to $183,000 in 2013 and $185,000 in 2014 for Snyder and Martonick. Steps for Hart and Moorer will be $63,000 in 2013 and $65,000 for 2014.