Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court will hear oral arguments at Big Bend Community College May 18

May 14, 2010

 

The Washington Supreme Court will visit with students and hear oral arguments from a different bench next week during a visit to the Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake on Monday and Tuesday, May 17 and 18.  The oral arguments on Tuesday are open to the public, as is an open forum session on Monday beginning at 2:15 p.m. 
 
On Tuesday, May 18 beginning at 9 a.m. in Big Bend Community College’s Masto Conference Center, Chief Justice Barbara Madsen, Associate Chief Justice Charles W. Johnson, and Justices Gerry Alexander, Richard B. Sanders, Tom Chambers, Susan J. Owens, Mary E. Fairhurst, James M. Johnson and Debra L. Stephens will hear arguments in the following cases:
 
·         Personal Restraint Petition of Vincent R. Adolph — Is Vincent Adolph’s personal restraint petition barred for procedural reasons? If no, was sufficient evidence presented to the trial court for the court to find that Rudolph was previously convicted of a DUI in Lincoln County? If no, can the State submit more evidence of the DUI on remand? Case No. 82868-7
 
·         State of Washington v. William Austin Brousseau — Is due process violated when a trial court conducts a child competency hearing without the child’s own testimony? Does the child-hearsay statute (RCW 9A.44.120) require a child witness to testify at a pretrial hearing? Case No. 83415-6
 
Justices will break for lunch with students at Noon and will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. to hear arguments in the following case:
 
·         Rizwana Rahman v. State of Washington — Is the State vicariously liable for injuries suffered by an unauthorized passenger riding in a state-owned vehicle being used for state business? Case No. 83428-8
 
Immediately following arguments in the three cases, the justices will answer questions from the audience and then recess to conference on the cases.
 
On Monday May 17, justices will visit Big Bend classrooms in the afternoon to speak with students, and will hold an open forum at 2:15 in the Masto Conference Center on such topics as police searches, death with dignity laws in Washington state, gay marriage and divorce, state-sponsored healthcare reform lawsuits, legal careers and more. The public is welcome to join in the open forum. Justices will also attend a reception with the Grant County Bar Association later in the afternoon.
 
“The opportunity to greet the court and observe it performing its constitutional function will be an important and memorable occasion for everyone throughout the college district,” said Big Bend President Dr. Bill Bonaudi.
 
The oral arguments will be recorded by TVW and aired at later dates. For more information, visit www.tvw.org.
 
The Washington Supreme Court has made community visits throughout the state since 1985, and welcomes the public to the oral arguments. Though cameras and video recorders are generally allowed, the Court asks that no flash, other lights or noisy film advance mechanisms be used during the hearings. Only one television camera will be allowed to film the oral arguments; other TV stations are asked to pool coverage. For other media arrangements, please contact AOC media relations in advance of the hearings.
 
Written opinions are rendered approximately three to six months after oral arguments. For further information regarding the Court, visit the Washington Courts web site at www.courts.wa.gov.
           
 Washington Courts Media Contacts:

Wendy K. Ferrell
Judicial Communications Manager
360.705.5331
e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov
Lorrie Thompson
Communications Officer
360.705.5347
Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov


Washington Courts Media Contacts:

Wendy K. Ferrell
Judicial Communications Manager
360.705.5331
e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov
Lorrie Thompson
Communications Officer
360.705.5347
Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov
 

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