Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Supreme Court to Hear Oral Argument at Tacoma Community College

In a community visit to Pierce County on May 25-26, the Washington State Supreme Court will call Tacoma Community College home, visiting with classes and students in addition to hearing oral argument on a total of three Supreme Court cases.

Starting on Wednesday, all nine of the Washington Supreme Court Justices will take part in class visits starting at 11:30 a.m., have lunch with TCCC students then participate in one of two panel discussions. One panel will focus on a comparison and contrast of the rights afforded by the United States and Washington State Constitutions, and another panel will discuss high profile cases recently decided by the court, including the primary election and gubernatorial election cases. The day will conclude with a tour of the campus at 5:30 p.m.

On Thursday, May 26 starting at 9:30 a.m. Chief Justice Gerry Alexander and Justices Charles W. Johnson, Barbara A. Madsen, Richard B. Sanders, Bobbe J. Bridge, Tom Chambers, Susan Owens, Mary Fairhurst and Jim Johnson will hear arguments on the following cases in Building 7 in the Rainier Room:

• 75784-4 State of Washington v. Roy Bernard Linton: Whether a guilty verdict on a lesser-included offense, entered after the jury expressly deadlocks on the greater offense, bars retrial on the greater offense.
• 76284-8 Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority v. Ken Miller: Whether Sound Transit provided statutorily adequate notice of a meeting to consider condemnation of property by posting the meeting agenda on its website.
• 76013-6 State of Washington v. Antoine Robert Surge: Whether the collection of biological samples from persons convicted of felonies or some misdemeanors to create a DNA database, as required by RCW 43.43.754, violates the Fourth Amendment or the Washington Constitution.

The Washington Supreme Court has made frequent community visits throughout the state since 1995, which are open to the public. 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.

All Supreme Court oral arguments are covered gavel-to-gavel by TVW, Washington’s Public Affairs Network. Written opinions are rendered approximately three to six months after oral argument. For further information regarding the Court, visit the Washington Courts’ website at www.courts.wa.gov.

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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