Washington Supreme Court Justices Will Hear Cases, Answer Questions From Public at Peninsula College in Port Angeles May 27-28

Washington Supreme Court Justices Will Hear Cases, Answer Questions From Public at Peninsula College in Port Angeles May 27-28

Washington Supreme Court justices will join in a public panel discussion, hear arguments in two appellate cases and answer questions from the public during a two-day visit to Peninsula College in Port Angeles on May 27 - 28. The hearings will be livestreamed by TVW.

Justices will also spend time visiting local classrooms. The trip is part of the Court's Traveling Court outreach program and will be the Court's second visit to Peninsula College. The Court last heard appellate cases at Peninsula College in October 2009.

Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend a panel discussion with justices on May 27 from 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. at the college's Little Theater. The following day, May 28, the public is welcome as justices hear oral arguments in two cases beginning at 9 a.m. in the Little Theater, followed by a Q&A session with the justices beginning at approximately 10:50 a.m.

"Traveling court gives the public a chance, without having to travel to Olympia, to see actual cases argued that will affect everyone in Washington State," said Justice Salvadore Mungia, chair of the Supreme Court Traveling Court Committee. "People will be able to watch skilled attorneys argue their cases while fielding questions from the nine justices, and then audience members will be able to ask questions of the justices. It sheds some light on the judicial branch, which is the least visible of the three branches."

The Traveling Court outreach program began in 1985 to allow justices to visit communities around Washington each year to hear real cases and answer questions from students and community members about the operations of the Supreme Court and the judicial branch.

This community visit will be the first for new Supreme Court justices Colleen Melody and Theodore Angelis.

"I participated in traveling court as a litigant, and am looking forward to soon traveling to Port Angeles as a member of our Court," Justice Melody said. "In addition to hearing cases, we are very much looking forward to meeting with students, Tribal representatives, and community groups on the peninsula. It is a rare treat for the Court."

"One of my passions is spending time with students to discuss our state's laws and the work the Supreme Court is doing to promote genuine access to justice," said Justice Angelis. "I am excited that the justices will meet with students and faculty from Peninsula College and local high schools. Students always have excellent questions, and their enthusiasm and dedication inspire confidence in our state's future."

For the oral arguments on May 28, Chief Justice Debra L. Stephens, Associate Chief Justice Charles W. Johnson, and Justices Steven González, Sheryl Gordon McCloud, Raquel Montoya-Lewis, G. Helen Whitener, Salvador Mungia, Colleen Melody and Theodore Angelis will hear the following arguments:

9 a.m., Case # 1, State v. Martinez-Loyola , No. 104658-8 : After Martinez-Loyola was convicted, a juror made remarks that suggested racial or ethnic bias that may have affected the proceedings. The trial court held an evidentiary hearing and concluded the version was not affected by racial bias. This court will consider what is the proper standard of review of that decision and under that proper standard of review, did the trial court err?

10 a.m., Case # 2, Baker v. Seattle Children's Hospital , No. 104590-4 : Washington's Privacy Act generally prohibits someone from intercepting or recording private communications without all parties' consent. Children's Hospital used software to collect data on its website users' actions. It both used and shared that data with others for marketing purposes. Did that use violate the Privacy Act?

"We are honored to welcome the Washington Supreme Court back to Peninsula College," said President Suzy Ames, who has been looking forward to having the court visit the college since she became president in 2022. "This is a wonderful learning opportunity for our students and community members to experience the judicial process firsthand and engage directly with one of the most important institutions in our democracy."

Learn more about the Traveling Court program on the program's web page, which includes a new short video about the visit to Bellevue College as well as educational flyers, booklets and links to more information about Supreme Court justices and operations.

All Washington Supreme Court oral arguments are open to the public, and are livestreamed by Washington's Public Affairs network, TVW. 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. Requests for interpreters can be sent to Washington Supreme Court Administrator Ashley Lipford at [email protected].

Contact: Administrative Office of the Courts Senior Communications Officer Lorrie Thompson, [email protected], 360-485-8520; Peninsula College Director of Marketing Aimee Gordon,[email protected], (360) 417-6291.