Tomorrow's opinions, April 1, 2010
The Supreme Court will issue opinions in several cases tomorrow:
Carlisle v. Columbia Irrigation District, No. 82035-0 (briefs and argument). The Columbia Irrigation District went through the process of adding property to its jurisdiction and imposing taxes on the owners. Some of the landowners opposed this claim. The Supreme Court reviews whether the proper procedures were followed in adding plaintiffs’ land to the Columbia Irrigation District and forming a local improvement district, and whether those procedures violate the Washington Constitution.
In re Parentage of M.F., No. 81043-5 (briefs and argument). The question before the court is whether a stepparent qualifies as a common law de facto parent, with the accompanying rights and responsibilities. The trial court ruled that the petitioner, a stepfather, could and did prove that he qualified as a de facto parent for his teenage stepdaughter, relying in part on precedent from In re Parentage of L.B. 155 Wash.2d 679 (2006). Court of Appeals reversed, finding that stepparents have other statutory remedies and cannot claim de facto parent status based on the Parentage of L.B. decision.
Renner v. City of Marysville, No. 81959-9 (briefs and argument). Whether a lawsuit can be dismissed if the originating party failed to include in his claim all the information required by the filing statute. Renner was fired for misconduct from his job as Network Administrator for the City of Marysville. He sued for wrongful termination, but failed to include 1) a specific damage amount, and 2) his address for the prior six months. The City successfully moved to dismiss the case for failure to comply with the filing requirements. The Court of Appeals reversed, finding the Renner had substantially complied with the rules.
State v. Rhone, No. 80037-5 (briefs and argument). Whether using a peremptory challenge to remove the sole minority member of a jury is racially discriminatory on its face without any other evidence.
