Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court to Visit Grays Harbor February 21-22

The Washington Supreme Court’s nine justices will visit classes and lunch with students of Montesano High school, hold an open public forum, and hear arguments on three real cases in a community visit to Grays Harbor from February 21-22, 2018. 

The first public event, on Wednesday evening will be a public forum from 5:45–6:45 p.m., moderated by Montesano Mayor Vini Samuel at Montesano High School.  

“This is an important event for the Harbor,” said Montesano Mayor Samuel. “The Supreme Court’s visit is a rare opportunity to see Washington’s Supreme Court in action, right here in our community, and I encourage everyone to attend our public forum and oral arguments the next day.”

The three oral argument hearings will be held at the Grays Harbor Superior Courthouse and are open to the public. Beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 22nd, Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst and Associate Justices Charles W. Johnson, Barbara A. Madsen, Susan J. Owens, Debra L. Stephens, Charles K. Wiggins, Steven C. González, Sheryl McCloud and Mary I. Yu will hear the following cases at the Superior Court:

• No. 94529-2 HBH; SAH; and Trey Hamrick, litigation guardian ad litem v. State of Washington and Town of Eatonville: Does DSHS have a special protective relationship with dependent foster children, imposing a common law duty in tort?

• No. 94393-1 State of Washington v. Evan Bacon:  Do juvenile courts have the authority to suspend dispositions beyond the listed exceptions in RCW 13.40.160(10)?

The court will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. to hear the last case of the day:

• No. 94556-0 State of Washington v. Brian M. Bassett:  Does sentencing juveniles to life without parole violate the Washington Constitution’s ban on cruel punishment?

“We encourage anyone interested in learning more about the judicial branch of government to see the workings of the highest court up close and personal,” said Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst.

The state’s highest court is located in Olympia in the Temple of Justice on the state capitol grounds. For more than a decade, the Court has heard cases “on the road” three times a year in an outreach effort allowing citizens to see the court in action in their local communities.

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.  Oral arguments will be available to stream live at www.tvw.org, Washington's Public Affairs network, and taped for broadcast at a later date.

Written opinions are rendered approximately three to six months after oral arguments. For further information regarding the Supreme Court, visit the Washington Courts web site at www.courts.wa.gov.