Civil Rights Section – NWSidebar

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What Happened in the 2023 Washington Legislative Session

The 105-day 2023 legislative session began on Jan. 9 and adjourned sine die on April 23. Legislators passed a two-year, $69.2 billion state operating budget providing funding increases for K-12 schools, with an emphasis on special education and programs to support affordable housing, as well as a $13.5 billion biennial transportation budget that supports improvements to the Washington State Ferry System, increases bicycle and pedestrian access to schools, and funds major highway construction projects statewide.

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Washington Legislative Recap: 2021 Session Summary for Legal Professionals

On April 25, the Washington State Legislature closed its unprecedented 2021 Regular Session, capping 105 days in Olympia that for the first time was also conducted nearly entirely virtually. Despite a few technical glitches and Zoom missteps, that have become commonplace during pandemic life, the session went surprisingly smoothly and WSBA Legislative Affairs was busy throughout, monitoring hundreds of bills that are of interest to lawyers and other legal professionals.

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Why is Alyssa Milano Tweeting About the Equal Rights Amendment?

The ERA battle is very much alive in court. To get a handle on the trio of lawsuits surrounding it, you first need to know a little about David Ferriero.

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Washington Supreme Court Announces Strict Liability for Sexual Harassment

The Washington Supreme Court recently announced a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment in places of public accommodation. In Floeting v. Group Health, Inc., No. 95205-1., issued Jan. 31, the Court responded to the case of a patient who alleged he was sexually harassed repeatedly by a hospital employee and sued the hospital under Washington Law […]

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Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy

The full version of this joint President’s Corner column will appear in the next issue of NWLawyer. The thing that we need in the world today is a group of men and women who will stand up for right and to be opposed to wrong, wherever it is. A group of people who have come […]

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My Pride Is More Important than Ever

By the time this gets published, LGBT Pride month will be coming to a close or have already ended, but I thought I would share a few thoughts about it anyway. Prior to my job here at WSBA, I worked on several college campuses, leading LGBT centers. Often I was asked why it was necessary […]

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Hot Off the Press (and Web): the Latest Issue of NWLawyer

In the March issue of NWLawyer, we hear from WSBA members on their views on President Trump’s executive orders on immigration, including: an in-depth legal analysis of the orders, perspective from an Iranian-American attorney, and a story about an innovative solution that employs technology to assist immigrants and refugees in need of representation.

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Quick Recap: Mellouli v. Holder, No. 13-1034

Almost a month ago, on Jan. 14, 2015, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Mellouli v. Holder, No. 13-1034. This case involves questions of drug possession and deportation and could have a big impact on immigration law.

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A Movement Towards a Better Country

“I have the faith to believe that this excessive suffering […] will in some little way serve to make […] a better country.” As individuals, it is easy to forget that our lives are interconnected with others. In America, we pride ourselves as a country built on the independence and innovation of individuals. The greater […]

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Using Tribal Common Law to Effectively Represent Clients in Tribal Court

Read three examples of how tribal common law can lead to results differing from those reached under state law. If you are unfamiliar with tribal courts, you may be surprised to hear they apply tribal customs and traditions to resolve legal disputes. Indeed, I find this is one of the most interesting parts of working […]

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SCOTUS Approves Use of Pre-Miranda Silence as Evidence of Guilt

Learn more about the Salinas v. Texas ruling and how it could affect cases in Washington. On June 17, 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States continued its stream of criminal procedure holdings, this time “holding” that the prosecutor’s use of a defendant’s pre-Miranda silence as evidence of guilt does not violate the defendant’s Fifth […]

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What is “excessive force?” A look at Graham v. Connor

A look at 3 recent cases of excessive force verdicts and the Graham balancing test. A jury in the Santa Ana Federal Court returned a verdict on April 4, 2013, after 10 days of evidence against two Long Beach officers who shot and killed 37-year-old Douglas Zerby in December 2010. The civil rights and wrongful death suit […]

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50 years after Gideon: should the right to counsel be expanded?

Pre-trial proceedings, like bail hearings, are critical in criminal cases. Should the right to counsel be expanded to cover them? Last month marked the 50-year anniversary of the seminal U.S. Supreme Court Case Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335, 83 S. Ct. 792 (1963), where the Court held that the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provided […]

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Washington’s Marijuana Law — Sorting out the myths and facts

Learn how marijuana legalization affects DUI laws and investigations. One of the many myths surrounding the passing of Initiative 502 was that for the first time, it became illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana. Truth is, it has always been illegal to drive under the influence of any intoxicating substance, whether that is […]

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Questions & Answers About Marriage for Same-Sex Couples

2012 was a historic year for efforts to extend civil marriage to same-sex couples – and 2013 could bring even more significant changes. 2012 was a historic year for efforts to extend civil marriage to same-sex couples – and 2013 could bring even more significant changes. On November 6, Washington voters approved Referendum 74 to […]