IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

)

STATE OF WASHINGTON, ) No. 101159-8

)

Respondent, )

) En Banc

v. )

) 

MITCHELL HENG, ) Filed: December 7, 2023

) 

Petitioner. ) 

)

GONZÁLEZ, C.J.— A person charged with a crime has a right to counsel

under our constitutions and under our court rules. Violation of that right is, at least, 

constitutional error. A violation of that right at critical stages of criminal 

proceedings is structural error. 

Mitchell Heng was charged with murder, arson, and robbery and was 

brought before a judge for a preliminary hearing without counsel. At that 

preliminary hearing, the judge set bail, among other things. Heng argues that 

counsel should have been present. We agree. But Heng has not shown that the 

hearing was a critical stage of the prosecution. Because we are persuaded that the 

violation did not contribute to the verdict, we affirm the courts below. 

FILE 

IN CLERK’S OFFICE

SUPREME COURT, STATE OF WASHINGTON 

DECEMBER 7, 2023

THIS OPINION WAS FILED 

FOR RECORD AT 8 A.M. ON

DECEMBER 7, 2023

ERIN L. LENNON

SUPREME COURT CLERK 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

2 

FACTS

Amy Hooser was killed in an apparent robbery of her workplace, Sifton 

Market. Surveillance footage captured images of Heng, in a blood-stained shirt, at 

the scene with a lighter in his hands. Police arrested Heng shortly afterward. 

The next day, Heng was charged with first degree murder, first degree 

robbery, and first degree arson. At his initial appearance, counsel was appointed 

but was not yet present. The State successfully requested that bail be set at 

$2 million based the nature of the offense, Heng’s criminal history, and a purported 

lack of community ties. Heng’s counsel appeared at his next hearing but declined 

to challenge bail. 

Heng spent the next 31 months in jail awaiting his trial. While in jail, he 

made many phone calls. Heng was informed that jail phone calls are recorded. 

During those recorded phone calls, Heng described the events of the night and said 

someone else had killed Hooser. His descriptions of what happened that night in 

Sifton Market were not consistent. 

Heng’s theory at trial was that a drug dealer, not visible in the surveillance 

footage, had killed Hooser and had forced Heng to burn down the market. The 

State impeached Heng using his jail calls and police interviews, highlighting 

different versions of the story he had told over time. The State also introduced a 

large amount of direct evidence against Heng, including the video evidence that
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

3 

placed him at the market where the victim was killed, video evidence that

suggested he had set the fire that burned down the market, DNA evidence from the 

victim in Heng’s car, and more. A jury convicted Heng of first degree murder and 

first degree arson, and he was sentenced to 374 months in prison. 

Heng appealed arguing, among other things, that his right to counsel had 

been violated at a critical stage of the prosecution. The Court of Appeals held that 

the preliminary hearing was not a critical stage and that any violation of the right to 

counsel was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Heng, 22 Wn. App. 2d 

717, 742, 512 P.3d 942 (2022), review granted in part, 200 Wn.2d 1025 (2023). 

We granted review on issues related to the bail hearing1 and set it as a 

companion to State v. Charlton, which also involves deprivation of counsel at 

preliminary hearings. 23 Wn. App. 2d 150, 159, 515 P.3d 537 (2022), review 

granted, 200 Wn.2d 1025 (2023). 

ANALYSIS

I. The Right to Counsel

The Sixth Amendment to the federal constitution and article I, section 22 of 

our state constitution both guarantee criminal defendants the right to counsel. State 

v. Heddrick, 166 Wn.2d 898, 909-10, 215 P.3d 201 (2009) (citing U.S. CONST.

1 Heng devotes a portion of his supplemental brief renewing his argument that trial counsel’s 

failure to ask the court to reconsider its decision on bail. We decline to reach this issue as it is 

outside of the scope of our order granting review. See RAP 13.7(b). 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

4 

amend. VI; WASH. CONST. art. 1, § 22; State v. Everybodytalksabout, 161 Wn.2d 

702, 708, 166 P.3d 693 (2007)); see also Powell v. Alabama, 287 U.S. 45, 69, 53 

S. Ct. 55, 77 L. Ed. 158 (1932) (holding that a defendant has the right to counsel

because even if “not guilty, he faces the danger of conviction because he does not 

know how to establish his innocence”). The right to counsel attaches under the 

Sixth Amendment at a defendant’s “first appearance before a judicial officer” 

where “a defendant is told of the formal accusation against him and restrictions are 

imposed on his liberty.” Rothgery v. Gillespie County, 554 U.S. 191, 194, 128 S. 

Ct. 2578, 171 L. Ed. 2d 366 (2008) (citing Brewer v. Williams, 430 U.S. 387, 398-

99, 97 S. Ct. 1232, 51 L. Ed. 2d 424 (1977)). 

Our court rules also guarantee the right to counsel. CrR 3.1; State v. 

Templeton, 148 Wn.2d 193, 212, 59 P.3d 632 (2002) (“Promulgation of state court 

rules creates procedural rights.” (citing In re Welfare of Messmer, 52 Wn.2d 510, 

512, 326 P.2d 1004 (1958))). Under CrR 3.1,“[t]he right to a lawyer shall accrue as 

soon as feasible after the defendant is taken into custody, appears before a 

committing magistrate, or is formally charged, whichever occurs earliest.” CrR 

3.1(b)(1). This rule-based right extends to “all criminal proceedings” and requires 

counsel at “every stage of the proceeding.” CrR 3.1(a), (b)(2)(A); accord State v. 

Copeland, 130 Wn.2d 244, 282, 922 P.2d 1304 (1996); see also CrR 3.2.1(e)(1) 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

5 

(requiring courts to provide lawyers at preliminary appearances after a warrantless 

arrest). 

Our rule also provides that counsel “shall” be provided “as soon as feasible

after the defendant has been arrested, appears before a committing magistrate, or is 

formally charged,” providing broader protections than our constitutions. CrR 

3.1(b)(1); cf. Templeton, 148 Wn.2d at 210-12 (quoting CrRLJ 3.1(b)(1)), 218-19

(citing Heinemann v. Whitman County, 105 Wn.2d 796, 802, 718 P.2d 789 

(1986)).2

 

Importantly, technological progress has made it increasingly feasible to have 

counsel present at a defendant’s first judicial appearance, even in small counties. 

See, e.g., Ord. Regarding Ct. Operations after Oct. 31, 2022, No. 25700-B-697, at 

4 (Wash. Oct. 27, 2022) (“Courts should continue to allow telephonic or video 

appearances for all scheduled criminal and juvenile offender hearings whenever 

2 While Templeton dealt with the criminal rules for courts of limited jurisdiction, not superior 

court, we find it helpful. First, the rules mandating counsel are essentially identical. Compare 

CrR3.1(a), (b)(1), with CrRLJ 3.1(a), (b)(1). The rules differ on when counsel should be 

provided, but CrR 3.1’s language suggests broader applicability and expanded requirements. 

Compare CrR 3.1(b)(2) (“A lawyer shall be provided at every stage of the proceedings.” 

(emphasis added)), with CrRLJ 3.1(b)(2) (“A lawyer shall be provided at every critical stage of 

the proceedings.”). Second, CrRLJ 3.1 “appears to have been written both to effectuate the 

United States Supreme Court’s decision in Miranda [v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 

L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966)] and to ensure that defendants will be afforded the right to counsel at all

critical stages of the proceedings.” Heinemann, 105 Wn.2d at 802. CrR 3.1 cannot provide less

than what our constitutions require, and the Court of Appeals has applied Templeton’s holding

equally to CrR 3.1. E.g., State v. Ackerman, No. 77807-2-I, slip op. (unpublished portion) at 13

(Wash. Ct. App. Dec. 2, 2019) (citing Templeton, 148 Wn.2d at 207),

https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/778072.pdf.
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

6 

appropriate.”). Because it is increasingly feasible, courts are required to provide 

counsel at earlier stages than was previously possible. See Khandelwal v. Seattle 

Mun. Ct., 6 Wn. App. 2d 323, 338, 431 P.3d 506 (2018) (noting that the word 

“shall” in our right to counsel rules mandates strict compliance with the rule). At 

oral argument, counsel for the State acknowledged that providing counsel at 

preliminary hearings would place no extra burden on the State because 

following COVID, we’ve utilized video proceedings to always have 

indigent defense counsel present via video so that if other attorneys 

who are actually appointed to the case are not available to be present 

to represent their client at these preliminary appearances, the . . . on 

duty indigent defense attorney who's appearing via video can step in 

just for that proceeding. So, that would have no impact on our county 

at least and would be . . . we would brook no issue with that . . . 

decision anyway.

Wash. Sup. Ct. oral argument, State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 (June 15, 2023), at 22

min., 12 sec., video recording by TVW, Washington State’s Public Affairs 

Network, https://tvw.org/video/washington-state-supreme-court-2023061146/. 

Simply put, defendants must have counsel present, at least virtually, at their 

first preliminary appearance before a judge unless it is simply not feasible for some 

extraordinary reason.

3 Administrative convenience, lack of funds, or shortage of 

3 We note that a defendant’s right to counsel may attach before their first appearance before a 

judge. See Copeland, 130 Wn.2d at 282 (1996) (rejecting State’s argument that “criminal 

proceedings” for CrR 3.1 purposes “have begun only if the defendant has been arrested, and it 

intends to charge him with a crime”). While the right to counsel may be waived, any waiver must 

meet constitutional standards. See State v. Tetzlaff, 75 Wn.2d 649, 651-52, 453 P.2d 638 (1969). 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

7 

defense counsel are not adequate reasons to deprive a person accused of a crime of 

counsel. See Wilbur v. City of Mount Vernon, 989 F. Supp. 2d 1122, 1137 (W.D. 

Wash. 2013) (“[S]tate courts must appoint counsel for indigent defendants who 

cannot afford to retain their own lawyer.”); cf. In re Det. of D.W., 181 Wn.2d 201, 

208, 332 P.3d 423 (2014) (holding that lack of funds cannot justify the State’s 

failure to provide required services (quoting Or. Advoc. Ctr. v. Mink, 322 F.3d 

1101, 1121 (9th Cir. 2003)). 

A person facing criminal charges needs counsel at their first preliminary 

appearance to protect their constitutional rights while the court decides bail and 

other important questions. See Coleman v. Alabama, 399 U.S. 1, 9, 90 S. Ct. 1999, 

26 L. Ed. 2d 387 (1970) (plurality portion) (highlighting the importance of counsel 

to argue for procedural safeguards like “early psychiatric examination or bail”). 

Bail hearings “are frequently hotly contested and require a court’s careful 

consideration of a host of facts about the defendant and the crimes charged.” 

United States v. Abuhamra, 389 F.3d 309, 323 (2d Cir. 2004). Our own court rules 

on pretrial release and bail require exactly that kind of fact-intensive inquiry before 

the State can restrain an accused’s liberty. CrR 3.2 (requiring courts to presume 

release on personal recognizance in noncapital cases and requiring fact-intensive 

analysis before imposing bail or other release conditions); CrR 3.2.1 (explaining 

similar procedures for preliminary hearing after warrantless arrest); CrRLJ 3.2.1 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

8 

(explaining similar procedures for preliminary hearing after warrantless arrest for 

limited jurisdiction courts). A person the State accuses of a crime needs counsel to 

navigate these rules. Coleman, 399 U.S. at 9.

Accordingly, Heng was entitled to have his counsel present at his first 

preliminary hearing. The failure to have his counsel present was error. 

II. Structural Error

Next, we must decide whether the preliminary hearing here was a critical 

stage of the prosecution. If so, the failure to have Heng’s counsel present was 

structural error requiring automatic reversal. Heddrick, 166 Wn.2d at 910, 910 n.9

(citing United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 658-59, 659 n.25, 104 S. Ct. 2039, 

80 L. Ed. 2d 657 (1984); Bell v. Cone, 535 U.S. 685, 696 n.3, 122 S. Ct. 1843, 152 

L. Ed. 2d 914 (2002)). Generally, a critical stage is one where “‘a defendant’s

rights may be lost, defenses waived, privileges claimed or waived, or in which the 

outcome of the case is otherwise substantially affected.’” Id. at 910 (quoting State 

v. Agtuca, 12 Wn. App. 402, 404, 529 P.2d 1159 (1974)); see also White v.

Maryland, 373 U.S. 59, 60, 83 S. Ct. 1050, 10 L. Ed. 2d 193 (1963) (noting that a 

preliminary hearing became a critical stage by virtue of the fact the defendant 

pleaded guilty). If a trial court reasonably anticipates that a hearing is such a stage 

of the prosecution, defense counsel should be present. 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

9 

But not all pretrial hearings are critical stages. To determine whether a 

given hearing was a critical stage on review, we must examine a hearing’s 

“substance and not merely [its] form,” State v. Jackson, 66 Wn.2d 24, 28, 400 P.2d 

774 (1965), and “[i]f there is no possibility that a defendant is or would be 

prejudiced in the defense of [their] case, then this court will be reluctant to 

overturn the result of a fair trial,” id. Even though witnesses were examined at the 

hearing in Jackson, we concluded it was not a critical stage because the defendant 

failed to show “that lack of counsel at the hearing resulted in an absence of fairness 

at the trial.” Id. at 29; see also Gerstein v. Pugh, 420 U.S. 103, 124-26, 95 S. Ct. 

854, 43 L. Ed. 2d 54 (1975) (holding that Fourth Amendment probable cause 

hearing does not require adversary hearing and so is not a critical stage); United 

States v. Gouveia, 467 U.S. 180, 191, 104 S. Ct. 2292, 81 L. Ed. 2d 146 (1984) 

(holding that preindictment investigative proceedings are not critical stages).

We recognize that courts have not been entirely consistent in describing 

when a hearing is a critical stage of the prosecution for purposes of structural error 

analysis. E.g., Coleman, 399 U.S. at 10-11 (remanding erroneous deprivation of 

counsel at critical stage “to determine whether such denial of counsel was harmless 

error” (citing Chapman v. California, 386 U.S. 18, 87 S. Ct. 824, 17 L. Ed. 2d 705 

(1967); United States v. Wade, 388 U.S. 218, 242, 87 S. Ct. 1926, 18 L. Ed. 2d 

1149 (1967))); Tully v. State, 4 Wn. App. 720, 726-28, 483 P.2d 1268 (1971)
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

10

(holding that the failure to continue preliminary hearing was constitutional error 

and remanding for determination of prejudice (citing Powell, 287 U.S. at 69)). 

More recently, the Supreme Court has clarified that denial of counsel at a pretrial 

hearing is structural error only if that error “affected—and contaminated—the 

entire proceeding.” Satterwhite v. Texas, 486 U.S. 249, 257, 108 S. Ct. 1792, 100 

L. Ed. 2d 284 (1988). That requires us to examine the effect of the error on the

defendant’s case. 

Heng argues that bail setting is always a critical stage of the proceedings 

because the deprivation of liberty is enormous, the potential impact on the trial is 

significant, and the facts underlying that decision are often disputed. In support, 

amici call to our attention studies on the negative effects of pretrial detention on 

the lives of detainees that show how pretrial detention and the bail system 

negatively affect detainees’ personal lives, finances, employment, and housing. Br. 

of Amici Curiae Wash. Ass’n of Crim. Def. Laws., Am. Civ. Liberties Union of 

Wash. Found., Wash. Def. Ass’n, and King County Dep’t of Pub. Def. (Amici Br.) 

at 15-17. Heng cites several courts that have concluded, based in part on these 

widely documented effects, that bail hearings are critical stages of criminal 

prosecutions. Booth v. Galveston County, 352 F. Supp. 3d 718, 738-39 (S.D. Tex. 

2019); Hurrell-Harring v. State, 15 N.Y.3d 8, 20, 930 N.E.2d 217, 904 N.Y.S.2d 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

11

296 (2010); State v. Fann, 239 N.J. Super. 507, 519-20, 571 A.2d 1023 (Law Div. 

1990). 

But Booth, Hurrell-Harring, and Fann were not analyzing the nature of a 

bail hearing in the context of a criminal appeal. Both Booth, 352 F. Supp. 3d at 

724, and Hurrell-Harring, 15 N.Y. 3d at 15-16, were civil cases challenging bail 

procedures. Fann was a pretrial challenge to bail procedures. 239 N.J. Super. at

509-10. These external consequences may well merit attention if a defendant can

show they substantively affected their specific case. Cf. D.W., 181 Wn.2d at 208 

(holding that lack of funds cannot justify the State’s failure to provide required 

services). They are not helpful in deciding whether a bail hearing was a critical 

stage in a particular case. 

We hold that a critical stage is one where a defendant’s rights were lost, 

defenses were waived, privileges were claimed or waived, or where the outcome of 

the case was otherwise substantially affected. Heddrick, 166 Wn.2d at 910. 

Counsel should always be present at all preliminary hearings because that is what

the federal and state constitutions and our rules require. On review, however, in 

deciding whether to impose automatic reversal we consider if rights were lost in a 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

12

way that demonstrably affected the outcome of the case. See Coleman, 399 U.S. at 

9; Jackson, 66 Wn.2d at 28.

4

 

Here, none of the situations we identified in Heddrick apply, and Heng’s 

case was not demonstrably affected by his counsel’s absence. Heng lost no rights, 

waived no defenses, and neither claimed nor waived privileges. The judge 

appointed counsel, set bail, and then entered a not guilty plea on Heng’s behalf. 

Heng did not lose his ability to challenge bail. His counsel decided not to challenge

bail when counsel actually appeared at the next hearing. 

We hold that Heng’s first preliminary hearing was not a critical stage under 

Heddrick, and the absence of counsel at that hearing was not structural error. 

Accordingly, constitutional harmless error analysis applies. 

III. Constitutional Harmless Error

Under constitutional harmless error analysis, the court will reverse unless it 

is persuaded beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not contribute to the 

verdict. State v. Orn, 197 Wn.2d 343, 359, 482 P.3d 913 (2021) (quoting State v. 

Romero-Ochoa, 193 Wn.2d 341, 347, 440 P.3d 994 (2019)). We place such a 

heavy burden on the State to “deter . . . conduct” that “undermines the principle of 

4

 We note in passing that not all errors that are structural on direct review are structural on 

collateral review. Compare State v. Wise, 176 Wn.2d 1, 6, 288 P.3d 1113 (2012) (holding a 

violation of the right to a public trial is structural and requires automatic reversal), with In re 

Pers. Restraint of Coggin, 182 Wn.2d 115, 116, 340 P.3d 810 (2014) (plurality opinion) 

(requiring showing of prejudice to reverse). Whether denial of counsel at a critical stage would 

be structural error on collateral review is not before us. 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

13

equal justice and is so repugnant to the concept of an impartial trial that its very 

existence demands that appellate courts set appropriate standards to deter such 

conduct.” State v. Monday, 171 Wn.2d 667, 680, 257 P.3d 551 (2011); see also

State v. Jackson, 195 Wn.2d 841, 856, 467 P.3d 97 (2020). 

Denial of bail comes with heavy consequences for the accused. As amici 

note, “[A]n individual detained pretrial is more likely to be convicted and more 

likely to plead guilty in light of the pressures of incarceration.” Amici Br. at 15-16 

(citing LÉON DIGARD & ELIZABETH SWAVOLA, VERA INST. OF JUST.,JUSTICE

DENIED: THE HARMFUL AND LASTING EFFECTS OF PRETRIAL DETENTION 3-5 (Apr. 

2019), www.vera.org/downloads/publications/Justice-Denied-Evidence-Brief.pdf 

[https://perma.cc/525P-ZQ5C]). One study found that longer pretrial detentions 

can increase the likelihood of defendants failing to appear at trial, being arrested on 

a new charge pending trial, and reoffending posttrial. Id. at 16-17 (citing 

CHRISTOPHER T. LOWENKAMP ET AL., LAURA & JOHN ARNOLD FOUND., THE

HIDDEN COSTS OF PRETRIAL DETENTION 4 (Nov. 2013), 

https://craftmediabucket.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/PDFs/LJAF_Report_hiddencosts_FNL.pdf [https://perma.cc/G2C2-VXJ6]). That same study also found that 

“delaying pretrial release for 8-14 days results in the defendant being 41% more 

likely to commit a new criminal offense compared with an individual who obtained 

prompt pretrial release.” Id. at 17. Amici also present evidence that “‘[B]lack 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

14

people are subject to pretrial detention more frequently, and have bail set at higher 

amounts, than white people who have similar criminal histories and are facing 

similar charges.’” Id. at 20 (alteration in original) (quoting ELIZABETH HINTON ET

AL., VERA INST. OF JUST., AN UNJUST BURDEN: THE DISPARATE TREATMENT OF

BLACK AMERICANS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 8 (May 2018), 

https://www.vera.org/downloads/publications/for-the-record-unjust-burden-racialdisparities.pdf [https://perma.cc/AZM6-6K98]). The continued failure to ensure 

that counsel is present at bail hearings may warrant some form of relief. See, e.g., 

Wilbur, 989 F. Supp. 2d at 1134 (providing injunctive relief for mass deprivations 

of counsel because the government is “obligated to comply with the dictates of the 

Sixth Amendment, and the Court will ‘not shrink from [its] obligation to enforce 

the constitutional rights of all persons’” (alteration in original) (quoting Brown v. 

Plata, 563 U.S. 493, 131 S. Ct. 1910, 179 L. Ed. 2d 969 (2011))). 

But in this case the State presented overwhelming evidence of Heng’s guilt, 

including video evidence placing him at the market where the victim was killed, 

video evidence suggesting he set the fire that burned down the market where the 

victim was killed, DNA evidence from the victim in Heng’s car, and more. 

Heng essentially argues that had he not been in jail, his trial theory that 

someone else had committed the murder would not have been impeached by the 

recorded jail phone calls. But those impeaching phone calls happened after counsel 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

15

decided not to challenge bail and were only a small part of the evidence against 

him. Heng has also given us no reason to believe that had counsel been present at 

his preliminary hearing, he might have been released. 

While denying Heng counsel at his first preliminary appearance was error, 

we conclude that the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.

CONCLUSION

The failure to have counsel present at Heng’s first preliminary hearing was 

constitutional error. While we by no means countenance counsel’s absence, under 

these facts we are persuaded that the error was harmless. Accordingly, we affirm 

the courts below and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

16

 ____________________________

WE CONCUR:

_____________________________ ____________________________

_____________________________ ____________________________

_____________________________ ____________________________

_____________________________ ____________________________ Lawrence-Berrey, J.P.T.

Madsen, J. - RESULT ONLY
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

(Yu, J., concurring) 

1 

No. 101159-8 

YU, J. (concurring) — I agree with the majority that criminal defendants 

“must have counsel present . . . at their first preliminary appearance before a 

judge,” at the latest. Majority at 6, 7 n.3. I also agree that Mitchell Heng “was 

entitled to have his counsel present at his first preliminary hearing” and that “[t]he 

failure to have his counsel present was error.” Id. at 8. Finally, I agree with the 

majority that current law does not provide a remedy for this error under the 

circumstances that occurred. Id. at 15. Therefore, I respectfully, though 

reluctantly, concur.

However, I write separately because this case illustrates the need for us to 

develop a more robust protection of the right to counsel for the accused. The 

record shows that Heng explicitly asserted his right to appointed counsel at his 

preliminary hearing. The trial court formally appointed counsel for Heng but 

stated there was “just not enough time” to wait for defense counsel to arrive. 1 Tr. 
2 

State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

(Yu, J., concurring) 

of Proc. (Jan. 20, 2017) at 6-7. Instead, the court immediately moved on to 

determine “bail and release,” with only counsel for the State present. Id. at 7.

Neither the trial court nor the prosecutor expressed surprise or concern that Heng 

was unrepresented at his preliminary appearance, suggesting this was not an 

unusual occurrence.

As the majority correctly recognizes, this was a clear violation of Heng’s

right to counsel. Beyond basic constitutional requirements, our court rules 

“provid[e] broader protections than our constitutions” by “requir[ing] counsel at 

‘every stage of the proceeding’” in a criminal case. Majority at 5 (emphasis added)

(quoting CrR 3.1(b)(2)(A)). Moreover, the State has acknowledged that complying 

with court rules and “providing counsel at preliminary hearings would place no

extra burden on [it].” Id. at 6. Thus, the violation of Heng’s right to counsel was 

both clear and apparently unnecessary. Yet, Heng has no recourse on appeal.

While I recognize that our current state constitutional framework supports the

majority’s decision to affirm, I am troubled by the hand-wringing fear of

retroactive reversal of cases and the subsequent lack of accountability that will 

follow in the actual implementation of the right to counsel at every level of court 

in every legal proceeding. Will the result in this case serve to increase the 

likelihood of similar violations in future cases? 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

(Yu, J., concurring) 

3 

I firmly believe that this court should make a commitment going forward to 

ensure that defense counsel is present at every defendant’s first appearance before 

a judicial officer and at every subsequent appearance thereafter. Any preliminary 

proceeding can ultimately change the outcome of a case, sometimes in “way[s] that 

demonstrably affect[ ] the outcome” and sometimes in ways that are less obvious 

but equally significant. Id. at 12. As the majority correctly acknowledges, defense 

counsel’s presence is vital to protect the defendant’s rights “while the court decides

bail and other important questions.” Id. at 7 (citing Coleman v. Alabama, 399 U.S. 

1, 9, 90 S. Ct. 1999, 26 L. Ed. 2d 387 (1970) (plurality portion)). Empirical studies 

have also shown that a court’s decisions on bail and pretrial release conditions can 

have devastating effects for the defendant, “both in their court cases and in their 

lives.” LÉON DIGARD & ELIZABETH SWAVOLA, VERA INST. OF JUST.,JUSTICE

DENIED: THE HARMFUL AND LASTING EFFECTS OF PRETRIAL DETENTION, 2 (Apr. 

2019), https://www.vera.org/downloads/publications/Justice-Denied-EvidenceBrief.pdf [https://perma.cc/525P-ZQ5C]. As amici explain, the lack of counsel at 

the first appearance “exacerbate[s] racial disparities in the criminal legal system” 

as pretrial detention “disproportionately impact[s]” communities of color. Br. of 

Amici Curiae Wash. Ass’n of Crim. Def. Laws., Am. Civ. Liberties Union of 

Wash. Found., Wash. Def. Ass’n, & King County Dep’t of Pub. Def. at 14-15. 

Further, the lack of counsel “undermine[s] the integrity of criminal investigations” 
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

(Yu, J., concurring) 

4 

because “[e]ven a brief private conversation” between a defendant and their 

counsel “can be crucial” to their defense. Id. at 14, 22. Yet, “[d]isentangling the 

possible effects of pretrial detention from the many other conditions that could 

influence outcomes is difficult.” DIGARD & SWAVOLA, supra, at 4. As a result, it 

is nearly impossible for a defendant to show that the absence of counsel at a 

preliminary appearance in their “particular case . . . demonstrably affected the 

outcome.” Majority at 11-12.

Therefore, while I acknowledge that the majority in this case correctly 

applies existing law, I write separately to highlight the need for stricter and more 

precise obligations protecting the right to counsel in our court rules. Our rules

should explicitly and affirmatively provide that the right to counsel attaches at the 

moment of the first appearance before a judicial officer and at every appearance 

thereafter unless validly waived. No hearing before a judicial officer in a criminal 

prosecution should occur without the presence of defense counsel, and if defense 

counsel cannot be present, the proceedings must be halted until counsel returns. 

And most importantly, we should enact an enforcement mechanism that has 

significant consequences. Adopting such proactive protections in our court rules 

would allow us to move past the backward-looking analysis employed by today’s 

majority, and toward fully recognizing that every deprivation of counsel matters.
State v. Heng, No. 101159-8 

(Yu, J., concurring) 

5 

All criminal defendants have the right to counsel at the first appearance 

before a judicial officer and all hearings thereafter. This court owes it to 

defendants and to the cause of justice to protect that right.

For these reasons, I respectfully concur.

______________________________