Verdict . News

2w ago•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court unanimously affirmed dismissal of A Better Richland PAC's writ of mandamus petition against Benton County Auditor

Washington Supreme Court Affirms Dismissal of PAC's Election Petition

The Washington State Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of a writ of mandamus petition filed by A Better Richland political action committee against Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton. The case involved disputes over municipal charter amendment procedures and election timing requirements.

•Dispute centered on timing requirements for municipal charter amendment elections under RCW 35.22.120

•Washington Supreme Court issued en banc ruling clarifying 'affected by' standard in DUI cases

Washington Supreme Court Clarifies 'Affected By' Standard in DUI Cases

The Washington State Supreme Court issued an en banc ruling in *State v. Wasuge*, addressing the legal standard for proving 'affected by' intoxication in felony DUI and physical control cases under state law.

•Case involves interpretation of RCW 46.61.502(1)(c) and RCW 46.61.504(1)(c) statutes

•SWAT team conducted pre-dawn operation, separated defendant from family, and restrained him with zip-ties

Washington Supreme Court Rules on Miranda Rights in SWAT Detention Case

The Washington State Supreme Court issued a ruling in State v. Magana-Arevalo examining whether police violated Miranda rights during a December 2018 SWAT operation. The case involves the detention and interrogation of Cristian Magaña Arévalo, who was separated from his family, restrained, and questioned without Miranda warnings during a pre-dawn police operation.

•Police questioned defendant without Miranda warnings after claiming he was 'not under arrest'

•Washington Supreme Court reversed dual assault convictions on double jeopardy grounds

Washington Supreme Court Reverses Dual Assault Convictions on Double Jeopardy

The Washington State Supreme Court partially reversed Anthony Lee's convictions for two counts of second-degree assault, ruling that beating a victim with a gun and then shooting at her constituted a singular course of conduct that violated double jeopardy protections.

•Court held that beating victim with gun and shooting at her was singular course of conduct

•Washington Supreme Court ruled on confrontation clause protections in first-degree assault case

Washington Supreme Court Clarifies Confrontation Rights in Bennett Case

The Washington Supreme Court ruled on confrontation clause protections in State v. Bennett, addressing when unavailable witness statements may be admitted under the rule of completeness. The court examined whether the 'opening the door' doctrine allows prosecutors to introduce otherwise inadmissible testimony when defendants present partial evidence from the same source.

•Court applied rule of completeness rather than 'opening the door' doctrine to allow additional witness testimony

Dec 18, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court issued en banc decision in Horvath v. DBIA Services on December 18, 2025

Washington Supreme Court Rules on Public Disclosure Act in Horvath Case

The Washington State Supreme Court issued an en banc decision in Horvath v. DBIA Services on December 18, 2025, addressing the application of the state's Public Disclosure Act to metropolitan improvement districts. The ruling references the 50-year legacy of Initiative 276, which established fundamental principles of government transparency.

•Case addresses application of Washington's Public Disclosure Act to metropolitan improvement districts

Dec 11, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court addressed reimbursement rights for individuals whose convictions were invalidated

Washington Supreme Court Rules on Reimbursement for Overturned Convictions

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled December 11 on whether individuals whose criminal convictions are later invalidated have the right to be reimbursed for court-imposed financial obligations, including compensation for community service work performed. The consolidated case involves two petitioners who had satisfied portions of their financial obligations before their convictions were overturned.

•Case involves two petitioners who performed community service before their drug possession convictions were overturned

Dec 4, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court unanimously rejected Commission on Judicial Conduct's recommendation to remove Judge Tracy S. Flood

Washington Supreme Court Reduces Judge Flood Sanction to 30-Day Suspension

The Washington Supreme Court unanimously rejected a judicial commission's recommendation to remove Bremerton Municipal Court Judge Tracy S. Flood, instead imposing a 30-day suspension without pay. The court ruled that suspension was more proportionate to the misconduct than removal following a disciplinary proceeding.

•Court imposed 30-day suspension without pay instead of removal, calling it more proportionate to the misconduct

Dec 4, 2025•4 min read

•Washington Supreme Court reversed lower court ruling allowing recall petition against Pacific County Commissioner Lisa Olsen to proceed

Washington Supreme Court Blocks Pacific County Commissioner Recall

The Washington State Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision and blocked the recall of Pacific County Commissioner Lisa Olsen, ruling that charges alleging violations of the Open Public Meetings Act were both factually and legally insufficient.

•Recall charges alleged violations of Open Public Meetings Act executive session requirements were found factually and legally insufficient