City of Seattle v. Ratliff

In this case, defendant Keith Ratliff challenges the constitutionality of law student representation of indigent criminal defendants pursuant to Admission to Practice Rule 9. Mr. Ratliff also raises a secondary claim that he was denied effective assistance of counsel in this particular case because his legal intern was given neither an opportunity to consult with his supervisor nor sufficient time to prepare for trial generally. We hold that representation by a law student pursuant to rule 9 does not deny a defendant his or her right to counsel as long as the student strictly complies with…