Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Court of Appeals, Division II Will Hear Cases in Vancouver March 1st

The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, will hear oral arguments outside of its regular Tacoma courtroom during a community visit to Clark College in Vancouver on Thursday, March 1st. The public is welcome to view the arguments and to ask questions not related to the cases after the arguments.

The hearings will begin at 9 a.m. in the at Gaiser Hall Student Center at Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663.

“We think it is important for the public to see and understand how the appellate courts work.  By hearing arguments in locations other than Tacoma, we provide more of the public easier access to our court,” said Court of Appeals Judge Rich Melnick. “Transparency is increased which in turn improves confidence in the judicial branch.”

The Court travels outside of Tacoma to Southwest Washington at least twice a year to allow interested people who otherwise would have difficulty attending court hearings an opportunity to view the Court of Appeals in action.

Oral arguments include 15 minutes of arguments for each side of each appeals case. Beginning at 9 a.m., a panel comprised of Judge Jill Johanson, Judge Brad Maxa, and Judge Rich Melnick will hear arguments in the following cases:

1. State v. Frame — The state appeals the trial court granting Frame’s petition to restore his right to own or possess firearms. The state argues that because Frame was 33 at the time the court granted, it should not have been done in juvenile court. 


2. State v. McNicholas — After being convicted of theft in the first degree, identity theft in the first degree and nine counts of forgery, the defendant argues insufficient evidence exists, that the trial court admitted overly prejudicial evidence, and he received ineffective assistance of counsel.  


3. Parker v. Parkview Trails – Parkview appeals after the trial court granted summary judgment to Parker and dismissed Parkview’s claims and denied his motions. The case involves a quiet title action to land subject to a deed of trust.

The Court of Appeals Division II is headquartered in Tacoma and hears appeals of cases from the superior courts in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Pacific, Skamania, Wahkiakum, Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston and Pierce counties. The Court has the authority to overrule, remand, modify, or affirm decisions of the trial courts. The Court generally hears oral arguments on appeals cases at its courthouse in Tacoma, but travels when possible to hear arguments in other locations to give members of the public in those areas easier availability to attend arguments.

For information regarding the Court of Appeals and other levels of court, visit the Washington Courts website at www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts.