Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

On the Road Again: Washington Supreme Court to Hear Cases at University of Washington Bothell This Week

SEATTLE, Wash. – On Thursday, January 14th the nine justices of the Washington State Supreme Court will travel to University of Washington Bothell to meet with students and to hear arguments on three cases, ranging from government liability to farm labor contracts. The event is open to the public.

The state’s highest court is located in Olympia in the Temple of Justice on the state capitol grounds. Since 1985, the Court has heard cases “on the road” several times a year in an outreach effort allowing citizens to see the court in action in their local communities.

“The Supreme Court’s Travelling Court program is a chance for the justices to bring the court to the people. We are so thankful to UW Bothell for hosting our visit,” said Chief Justice Barbara Madsen. “In addition to students, 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.” 

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.

“The Supreme Court visit will bring an exciting educational experience to UW Bothell and the community,” says Chancellor Wolf Yeigh. “Students will have a rare opportunity to interact with the justices and then, along with the broader community, learn how the court works as they witness arguments in three cases. This type of connected learning  benefits our students beyond graduation.”

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. in ARC building, Chief Justice Barbara Madsen and Justices Charles W. Johnson, Susan Owens, Mary Fairhurst, Debra Stephens, Charles Wiggins, Steven González, Sheryl Gordon McLoud and Mary Yu will hear the following arguments:  

9:00 a.m:  Case # 91438-9 State of Washington v. Fisher and Trosclair 
Whether in a felony murder prosecution predicated on the commission of robbery the trial court erred in failing to instruct the jury on the defendant’s claimed affirmative defense that she lacked knowledge that her codefendants were armed and planned a robbery.

9:55 a.m.: Case # 91644-6 (C/A 71752-9-I) Binschus v. Skagit County 
Whether in a negligence action against a county stemming from the death or injury of several persons at the hands of a former jail inmate a month after his release from jail, the county may be liable under its “take charge” duty to control the inmate on the basis of its alleged failure to adequately diagnose and treat the inmate for his mental condition while he was incarcerated.  

1:30 p.m.: Case # 91945 Saucedo, et al. v. John Hancock Life & Health Ins. Co., et al.
Was defendant Northwest Management and Realty Services, Inc. an unlicensed “farm labor contractor” under Washington’s Farm Labor Contractor Act and, if so, did the other defendants “knowingly” use its services?

Immediately following arguments in the two cases, the justices will answer questions from the audience, then recess to conference on the cases. They will also answer questions after the last case of the day.