County names interim public defender

From Kootenai County commissioners:

“Kootenai County is pleased to announce that effective immediately, Christopher Schwartz has been appointed to serve as the Interim Public Defender for Kootenai County.

“Mr. Schwartz was raised in Coeur d’Alene and graduated from Lake City High School in 1997. He attended the University of Idaho where he obtained a BS in political science in 2001 and then a JD from the University of Idaho Law School in 2004. After passing the Bar, Mr. Schwartz worked for the State Appellate Public Defender, where he argued cases before both the Idaho Court of Appeals and the Idaho Supreme Court. In 2006, Mr. Schwartz returned to Coeur d’Alene where he began working for the Kootenai County Public Defender’s office. In 2008 he went into private practice for a period of four years, where he focused solely on criminal defense. In 2012, Mr. Schwartz returned to the Kootenai County Public Defender’s office where he assumed the responsibility of handling complex felony cases.

“In the weeks to come, our Human Resources department will work closely with the committee established by Administrative Judge Lansing Haynes, in order to meet our procedural and statutory obligations related to the appointment of a permanent Chief Public Defender. We are confident that Mr. Schwartz’ broad experience at the state and local level, combined with his years of service within the Public Defender’s Office, will help facilitate a smooth transition.”