Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court Travels to Bellingham Oct. 9-10 to Hear Cases at Western Washington University

The Washington State Supreme Court this week will visit with students and take part in panel discussions, then will hear oral arguments in (three) cases in Bellingham while visiting Western Washington University October 9 - 10. The public is welcome to the panel discussions and the oral arguments, which will include time for questions from the audience.

The visit is part of a Travelling Court outreach program in which justices travel to two or three communities around Washington each year to hear real cases and talk with community members about the judicial branch and justice system.

“The public is always welcome to visit the Temple of Justice and to sit in on oral arguments, but we understand it’s not always easy to travel to Olympia,” said Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst. “We hope our Travelling Court program helps improve access to these hearings and helps increase understanding of how the appellate system works.  The justices always truly enjoy meeting with community members and answering their questions.”

On Wednesday, October 9, several justices will visit classrooms to talk with students, and will have lunch with students in the Performing Arts Center. The afternoon will include two panel discussions in the Wilson Library Reading Room 480, which are open to the public:

Panel Discussion #1, 3 p.m. – 3:50 p.m., “Judicial Role in Democracy,” moderated by Dr. Paul Chen, Associate Professor of Political Science;

Panel Discussion #2, 4:10 p.m. – 5 p.m., “Free Speech,” moderated by Ceci Lopez, Coordinator of the Center for Law, Diversity and Justice.

Also on Wednesday, Chief Justice Fairhurst, Justice Steven González, Justice Mary Yu and Supreme Court Bailiff Guy Rosser will visit Ferndale Municipal Court to hear concerns about court security.  The meeting will be with Judge Mark Kaiman.

On Thursday, October 10 in the Wilson Library Reading Room, Chief Justice Fairhurst and Justices Charles W. Johnson, Barbara A. Madsen, Susan Owens, Debra Stephens, Charles Wiggins, Steven González, Sheryl Gordon McCloud and Mary Yu will hear the following arguments:

9 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.:  Case #1, State vs. Davis:  Whether in this criminal prosecution in which the defendant represented himself, the defendant voluntarily absented himself from trial and waived his right to be present through his disruptive behavior, and if so, whether the court properly allowed witnesses to testify in the defendant’s absence.?

10 a.m. – 10:40 a.m., Case #2, Woods vs. Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission:  Whether in this employment discrimination suit against a religious organization, the exclusion of religious and sectarian organizations from the Washington Law Against Discrimination shields the defendant from liability for refusing to hire an applicant for a staff attorney position in the defendant’s legal clinic based on the applicant’s sexual orientation.

10:40 a.m. – 11 a.m.:  Q&A with audience.

1:30 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.:  Case #3, Wrigley vs. State of Washington, et al.:  Whether in this negligence action against the Department of Children, Youth, and Families arising out of the death of a child at the hands of his birth father after the child was removed from his birth mother and placed with the father, allegations the mother relayed to the department about the father’s past acts of violence against her and warning that the child would die if placed with the father amounted to “a report concerning the possible occurrence of [child] abuse or neglect” within the meaning of RCW 26.44.050, triggering the department’s duty to investigate.

2:10 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.:  Q&A with audience.

All Washington Supreme Court oral arguments are open to the public, and are broadcasted at a later date via Washington’s Public Affairs network, TVW.  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. TV stations are asked to pool coverage.

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.