Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court Justices Will Answer Questions, Hear Cases at Western Washington University February 19-20

Washington Supreme Court justices will answer questions from the public and will hear arguments in two appellate cases in Bellingham during a two-day visit Feb. 19 and 20 to Western Washington University. 

The public is encouraged to attend and ask questions at the moderated Q&A panel on Wednesday, Feb. 19 beginning at 9:30 a.m., and is welcome to attend the oral arguments on Thursday, Feb. 20, beginning at 9 a.m. Both take place at the Wilson Library Reading Room. Members of the Court will also attend a reception hosted by the Whatcom County Bar Association.

The visit is part of the Supreme Court’s Traveling Court outreach program, in which justices travel to communities around Washington each year to hear real cases in community settings and answer questions from students and community members about the Supreme Court and the judicial branch. The Traveling Court program began on February 20, 1985 with a visit to the University of Washington School of Law. The Court first visited Western Washington University in September, 1986.

Learn more about the Traveling Court program on the program’s new web page, which includes a new short video as well as educational flyers, booklets and links to more information about Supreme Court justices and operations.

“It is very important for people to know how their courts and judicial branch operate, but we know it is not easy for members of the public to experience court hearings in person or talk with judges,” said Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens. “The Traveling Court program brings the live Supreme Court hearings to different places around the state. The justices truly enjoy meeting with community members and answering their questions.”

"We are honored to welcome the Washington State Supreme Court to Western’s campus,” said WWU President Sabah Randhawa. “This visit presents a rare opportunity for our students to witness state government and judicial proceedings in action. We are grateful to the court for offering this remarkable learning experience and reinforcing the vital connection between education and the functioning of our government."

The public Q&A panel will begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 in the Wilson Library Reading Room and will be moderated by Western Washington University Associate Professor Ceci Lopez, Director of the Center for Law, Diversity & Justice at the Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies.

On Thursday, Feb. 20 at 9 a.m. in the Wilson Library Reading Room, Chief Justice Stephens, Associate Chief Justice Charles Johnson, and Justices Barbara A. Madsen, Steven González, Sheryl Gordon McCloud, Mary Yu, Raquel Montoya-Lewis, G. Helen Whitener and newly elected Justice Sal Mungia will hear the following arguments:

9 a.m., Case # 1, State v. Thompson, 103338-9: Lester P. Thompson Jr. was charged with and then convicted of murdering Destinie Gates-Jackson in 2020. He unsuccessfully sought to subpoena Gates-Jackson’s medical records at trial. Gate-Jackson’s estate was allowed to intervene at trial to oppose his motion. Should the victim’s estate be allowed to intervene in Thompson’s appeal? 

10 a.m., Case # 2, State v. Abrams, 103058-4: Once a person convicted of a crime has completed all the requirements of their sentence, they are entitled to a certificate of discharge. RCW 9.94A.637. Once a person has a certificate of discharge, they may apply to have those convictions vacated. RCW 9.94A.640. (1) is a person entitled to seek vacation when they are still incarcerated on a different conviction? (2) must a person seeking vacation offer evidence of rehabilitation? 

All Washington Supreme Court oral arguments are open to the public, and are livestreamed by 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. Requests for interpreters can be sent to Washington Supreme Court Administrator Ashley Lipford at Ashley.Lipford@courts.wa.gov.

“Forty years ago, our Court began traveling to communities to hear cases. It is always enlightening and valuable to hear questions and thoughts from community members, and be able to share information and have conversations,” said Associate Chief Justice Charles Johnson, the longest-serving Supreme Court justice, who joined the Court in 1991. “Those visits have always been one of the highlights of our year.”

Contact: Administrative Office of the Courts Senior Communications Officer Lorrie Thompson, Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov, 360-705-5347; Western Washington University Associate Professor Ceci Lopez, Director of the Center for Law, Diversity & Justice, Ceci.Lopez@wwu.edu.