State v. Sisouvanh

by

Synopsis: Whether for purposes of evaluating a criminal defendant’s competency to stand trial, the term “qualified expert or professional person” under RCW 10.77.060(1)(a) requires a competency evaluator to be qualified to assess the defendant’s competency in light of the defendant’s cultural background.

Docket No. 85422-0 (from Benton Case No. 08-1-00685-2)

Appellant: Phiengchai Sisouvanh

Respondent: State of Washington

Briefs:

Argument: Thursday, May 10, 2012 10:00am

[Source: TVW, http://tvw.org]

Audio: Washington Supreme Court

Decided: Thursday, October 18th, 2012

Prevailing Party: State of Washington (Respondent)

Vote: 9-0

Citation: Pending

Court: Madsen3 Court (2012)

Barbara Madsen: Majority

Madsen

Charles Johnson: Majority

Johnson

Tom Chambers: Majority

Chambers

Susan Owens: Majority

Owens

Mary Fairhurst: Majority

Fairhurst

James Johnson: Majority

Johnson

Debra Stephens: Majority

Stephens

Charles Wiggins: Majority

Wiggins

MajoritySteven Gonzalez: Majority

Gonzalez
(Majority)

Opinion

Opinion

Note: We post only slip opinion(s) as published at the time of the decision. Please consult Washington Reports printed volumes for the opinion(s) in their final form. Each opinion should appear next to the Justice who authored it.