Opinion ID: 2582199
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: state v. punsalan

Text: ¶ 3 Rodin Punsalan is charged with first degree robbery. Punsalan qualifies as indigent under RCW 10.101.010(1), and would be entitled to an appointed lawyer if he sought one. The KCOPD concedes Punsalan needs expert assistance. ¶ 4 Punsalan's parents retained a private law firm to represent him. Their fee agreement expressly excluded expert assistance, if necessary to provide an adequate defense. The private law firm requested $2,100 under CrR 3.1(f)(1) to conduct a psychological evaluation. Mistakenly believing the judge orally granted the request for expert assistance, the KCOPD approved it. After learning of its error, the KCOPD did not seek to withdraw approval. ¶ 5 The law firm then requested $6,000 to retain two New York psychologists. KCOPD denied the request when submitted, and again when resubmitted as a supplemental motion. The trial judge affirmed KCOPD's decision, holding Punsalan forfeited any right to expert assistance at public expense by retaining private counsel. The trial court did not determine whether the requested expert services were necessary or reasonable. On June 15, 2004, Punsalan filed a motion for discretionary review in the Court of Appeals, Division One. On August 3, 2004, the commissioner of Division One granted review under RAP 2.3(b)(2).