Tomorrow's opinions, May 6, 2010
The Supreme Court will issue opinions in several cases tomorrow, including a case dealing with Internet filters in libraries.
Bradburn v. North Central Regional Library District, No. 82200-0 (briefs and argument). Whether library Internet filters violate the Washington Constitution’s free speech provision. The North Central Regional Library District maintains Internet filters on its computers to block web sites and images considered “harmful to children.” Several adult library patrons were blocked from accessing sites on topics such as firearms, art, abuse, dating, and health. They asked the library to unfilter the sites, but were refused. The patrons and a nonprofit whose site was among those blocked sued in federal court. As past cases have found that Washington’s free speech protections are stronger than their federal counterparts, the U.S. District Court asked the state Supreme Court to address the state constitutional issues before it proceeds with the federal claims.
Rivard v. State, No. 82431-2 (briefs and argument). Whether the statutory prohibition on possessing firearms for felons who commit a “serious offense” can be applied retroactively after the definition of “serious offense” was modified by the legislature.
State v. Lucero, No. 83777-5. Defendant appeals conviction of assault with a deadly weapon in the second degree and sentencing based on an offender score of 7.
State v. Peterson, No. 82089-9 (briefs and argument). Whether the state must prove the time limit requirement in order to convict a sex offender for failure to register.
State v. Vance, No. 81393-1 (briefs and argument). Whether the Sixth Amendment right to trial by jury requires that a jury, not a judge, make findings of fact to support an exceptional consecutive sentence?
