Arguments

Visit Recent Arguments for past oral arguments, and Upcoming Arguments for future oral arguments.

If you can’t find a case on our website, it’s because we’re still updating our database. In the meantime, here are some useful links to the Washington Courts website:

Lowman v. Puget Sound Energy

Argument: Thursday, May 24th, 2012 1:30pm
Docket No. 86584-1 (from Court of Appeals Division I Case No. 65359-8)
Synopsis: Whether in this personal injury action a utility company's approved placement of a utility pole closer to a roadway than allowed by county regulations constituted a legal cause of damages the plaintiff suffered when the car he was riding in struck the pole while being driven recklessly.

State v. Gray

Argument: Thursday, May 24th, 2012 10:00am
Docket No. 86359-8 (from Court of Appeals Division II Case No. 40289-1)
Synopsis: Whether the trial court in a murder prosecution had authority to modify the defendant's restitution more than 180 days after sentencing to include the victim's funeral and burial expenses, which were ascertainable within the 180-day period.

State v. Graciano

Argument: Thursday, May 24th, 2012 9:00am
Docket No. 86530-2 (from Court of Appeals Division II Case No. 40289-1)
Synopsis: Whether in considering whether multiple crimes constitute the "same criminal conduct" for sentencing purposes, an appellate court reviews the trial court's decision for abuse of discretion or considers the issue de novo.

Franklin Sheriff’s Office v. Parmelee

Argument: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 2:30pm
Docket No. 86410-1 (from Court of Appeals Division III Case No. 27908-1)
Synopsis: Whether a trial court has equitable authority to consider the identity of the person making a public records request when determining whether to enjoin disclosure under the Public Records Act.

State v. Arreola

Argument: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 1:30pm
Docket No. 86610-4 (from Court of Appeals Division III Case No. 29164-2)
Synopsis: Whether a police officer responding to a report of a possible intoxicated driver improperly stopped the driver on a pretext when he pulled the driver over for having an unlawfully modified muffler.

In re Fredric Sanai, Attorney at Law

Argument: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 1:00pm
Docket No. 201,046-6 (from WSBA Case No. 32347)
Synopsis: Show cause hearing.

State v. Ruem

Argument: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 10:00am
Docket No. 86214-1 (from Court of Appeals Division II Case No. 39053-1)
Synopsis: Whether police officers seeking consent to enter a defendant's home to execute an arrest warrant on the defendant's brother were required to advise the defendant of his right to refuse consent under State v. Ferrier, 136 Wn.2d 262, 960 P.2d 927 (1998).

Wash. Off Highway Vehicle Alliance v. State

Argument: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 9:00am
Docket No. 86602-3 (from Court of Appeals Division II Case No. 40521-1)
Synopsis: Whether an appropriation allocating a portion of motor vehicle fuel tax revenues to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission constitutes a permissible "refund" of fuel tax revenues to off-highway vehicle users.

Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention v. State of Washington

Synopsis: Does Initiative 1183 violate Article II, section 19 of the Washington State Constitution? Ballot Summary of Initiative 1183: "This measure would close state liquor stores and sell their assets including the liquor distribution center. The state would license private parties to distribute spirits and to sell spirits in retail stores meeting certain criteria, subject to specified training and compliance requirements. The measure establishes licensing fees for sale and distribution of spirits based on the licensee’s sales revenues. It would change some wine distribution laws and allow non-uniform wholesale pricing for wine and spirits."

State v. Byrd

Argument: Tuesday, May 15th, 2012 2:30pm
Docket No. 86399-7 (from Court of Appeals Division III Case No. 29056-5)
Synopsis: Whether the warrantless search of a car occupant's purse incident to the occupant's arrest outside the car is unlawful under Arizona v. Gant, 556 U.S. 332, 129 S. Ct. 1710, 173 L. Ed. 2d 435 (2009).