Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Washington Supreme Court to Hear Oral Argument at Washington State University

In a community visit on September 24^th, the Washington State Supreme Court will call Washington State University home, hearing arguments in a total of three cases at the University’s Compton Union Building, room 217.

Their visit will also include a luncheon reception on September 24^th, posthumously honoring Supreme Court historian and Washington State University Professor Charles H. Sheldon.   

Starting at 9 a.m., Chief Justice Gerry Alexander and Justices Charles Z. Smith, Charles W. Johnson, Barbara A. Madsen, Richard B. Sanders, Faith Ireland, Bobbe J. Bridge, Tom Chambers and Susan Owens will hear arguments on the following cases:

• No. 71855-5, Hickle (respondent) v. Whitney Farms, Inc. (defendant) Seneca Foods Corp. (petitioner) Milne Fruit Prod., Inc. (respondent)  Whether food processing companies that hired an independent contractor to dispose of waste can be liable under the Hazardous Waste Management Act, chapter 70.105 RCW, to a third party injured because of a dangerous condition caused by the contractor's improper disposal methods.
• No. 71918-7, State (petitioner/cross-respondent) v. DeSantiago (respondent/cross-petitioner) Whether the trial court correctly declared certain witnesses unavailable for purposes of admitting their testimony from a prior trial pursuant to ER 804(b)(1), and whether two sentence enhancements, one for a firearm and the other for a deadly weapon, can be imposed and run consecutively upon a single offense.
• No. 71984-5, State (respondent) v. Vasquez (petitioner)   Whether a determination in an administrative license suspension hearing that police lacked probable cause to stop a driver precludes a trial court from revisiting that issue in a subsequent criminal prosecution.

Immediately following arguments on the first two cases, the justices will answer questions from the audience, then conference on the cases in private until noon.

The Court will recess for a luncheon convened by the Foley Institute to honor Professor Sheldon, and re-convene at 1:30 p.m. to hear arguments on the last case of the day.

With their arrival to Pullman on September 23^rd, members of the court will present a legal education session with the Whitman County Bar Association on campus in room 123, beginning at 4 p.m.

The Washington Supreme Court has made community visits throughout the state since 1985, which are open to the public.    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.

Written opinions will be rendered three to six months after oral argument. For further information regarding the Court, visit the Washington Courts website at www.courts.wa.gov.

CONTACT:  Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, Washington Supreme Court 360-357-2029.