Recent Articles

Today's arguments - March 15, 2012

March 15, 2012 19:52

Bain v. Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, et al and Selkowitz v. Litton Loan Servicing, LP, et al, No. 86206-1 (consolidated w/ 86207-9). May a party be a lawful “beneficiary” under Washington’s Deed of Trust Act if it never held the promissory note secured by the deed of...

Seattle's ban on firearms in city parks rejected

Michael Reitz
March 08, 2012 17:28

In 2009 the City of Seattle adopted a ban on concealed firearms in city parks. The move was criticized by gun rights advocates and even Attorney General Rob McKenna, who issued a formal opinion stating that cities cannot adopt gun regulations that are more restrictive than state law. Several...

February petitions for review

Michael Reitz
February 28, 2012 23:52

The Supreme Court has accepted several new cases for review. State v. Arreola, No. 86610-4. Gilberto Arreola was convicted of a felony driving under the influence in the first degree. The patrol officer that arrested Arreola followed him for over a half mile because his vehicle fit the description...

Today's arguments - February 28, 2012

February 28, 2012 16:00

In re: Bakary Fansu Conteh, an Attorney at Law, No. 200,915-8. Did the attorney violate the Rules of Professional Conduct and, if so, what sanction should be imposed? In re the Detention of: Kevin Coe a/k/a Fredrick Harlan Coe, No. 85965-5. Kevin Coe challenges his designation as a sexually violent...

Mason County assessment tossed out

Michael Reitz
February 16, 2012 23:09

Today the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in favor of four Mason County residents who disputed a special assessment that Mason County had levied on nonforest lands. In 2003, Mason County imposed an annual assessment of $5.00 on certain parcels to “create a fund dedicated to addressing...

Today's arguments - February 16, 2012

February 16, 2012 16:32

Afoa v. Port of Seattle, No. 85784-9. Brandon Afoa worked at Sea-Tac Airport and got hurt on the job; should the Port of Seattle have to pay for his injuries? State v. Tarhan, No. 85737-7. The trial court sealed juror questionnaires without conducting a Bone-Club analysis, which is required before...

Today's arguments - February 14, 2012

February 14, 2012 16:50

In re: Thomas R. Kamb, No. 200,926-3. The Court must determine whether attorney Thomas R. Kamb violated the Rules of Professional Conduct and impose appropriate sanctions for any violations. Anfinson, et al. v. Fedex Ground Package System, Inc., No. 85949-3. Did the trial court correctly instruct...

Tribal member's fishing citation tossed out

Michael Reitz
February 14, 2012 14:14

In State v. Jim, No. 84716-9, the Supreme Court held that the Maryhill Treaty Fishing Access Site, created for Columbia River tribes to fish under provision of treaty, was not within the criminal jurisdiction of Washington State. Lester Ray Jim, a member of the Yakama Nation, was fishing on the...

Sentencing enhancement upheld

Michael Reitz
February 14, 2012 14:04

In re Personal Restraint of Eastmond, No. 81939-4. The Supreme Court found that a recently established rule regarding sentencing enhancements can not be retroactively applied to cases heard before the rule was created in Williams-Walker. The rule holds that when a firearm sentence enhancement is...

DUI conviction reversed after inadequate warning

Michael Reitz
February 02, 2012 22:12

State v. Morales, 84197-7. The Supreme Court, with Justice Charles Wiggins writing the majority, reversed a DUI conviction due to an inadequate test warning from the trooper. The State of Washington requires that any individual arrested for vehicular assault must take a blood alcohol test....