Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Court of Appeals to hear local cases in Longview Oct. 27, Vancouver Oct. 31

The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, will hear oral arguments outside of their normal Tacoma courtroom during community visits to Longview on Oct. 27 and Vancouver on Oct. 31. The public is welcome to attend these oral arguments and ask questions, not related to active cases, at the end of oral arguments.

The oral arguments involve cases on appeal from Cowlitz County Superior Court and Clark County Superior Court. Oral arguments for each case are expected to last approximately 30 minutes.

For the Oct. 27^th hearings in Cowlitz County, arguments will be held in the County Administration Building at 207 4^th Ave N, #305, Kelso. Arguments begin at 9 a.m. in the following cases:

• 47890-1:  State of Washington, Respondent v. Tyler Robb, Appellant — Appeal of a child molestation conviction.
• 47593-6:  State of Washington, Res/Cross-Appellant v. Jesus Solis-Vazquez, App/Cross-Respondent — Appeal of conviction for possession of drugs with intent to deliver, with firearm enhancement.   
• 47905-2: Larry Riley, Appellant v. Iron Gate Self Storage, et al., Respondents — Appeal of limitation on damages involving sale of storage unit contents.  
   

For the Oct. 31^st hearings in Clark County, oral arguments will begin at 9 a.m. at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, 98669, on the 6^th floor in the hearing room. Cases to be heard include: 

• 48145-6:  Darlington Ofuasia, et ux., Appellant/Cross-Resp v. Dana Smurr, et al., Respondents/Cross-App — Appeal of superior court decision involving a boundary dispute between two property owners and removal of fencing and trees.
• 47716-5:  Alex Safranski, Appellant/Cross-Respondent v Duma Video, Inc., et al, Respondents/Cross-Appellants — Appeal involving a business lawsuit.
• 48070-1: Keisha Baumgartner, Appellant v. The Vancouver Clinic, Inc., et al., Respondents —  Appeal involving a medical malpractice lawsuit.  

“We continue to have oral arguments outside of Tacoma so more people can observe the court in operation,” said Court of Appeals Division II Judge Rich Melnick. “It helps Washington communities understand how the judicial branch functions and provides more transparency.” 

The Court of Appeals Division II 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 court and administrative agencies. 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 http://www.courts.wa.gov/appellate_trial_courts/.

CONTACT:  Judge Rich Melnick, 253.552.2259 (desk), 253.282.5623 (cell).