The Washington State Supreme Court will be holding court and hearing two cases in Port Angeles on May 28, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m. The Supreme Court is based in Olympia, WA, and normally hears cases there. However the Court has a Traveling Court program and they hear cases in cities across the state.
Cases in the Supreme Court have been appealed from a trial court ruling. Lawyers for both sides file numerous documents in the appeals process, including appeal briefs, and then the lawyers are allowed to present “oral argument,” which is their chance to argue their client’s case to Court. Oral argument is what will happen a Peninsula College in Port Angeles for the two cases below.
The public is encouraged to attend these sessions as observers. After the Court session is completed, the nine Supreme Court Justices will take questions from you, members of the public, about anything you want to ask them.
Two Cases being heard
Traveling Court Program
The Traveling Court program presents a rare opportunity for members of the bench and bar, students, and the broader community to observe the work of the state’s highest court firsthand. The Washington State Supreme Court will hear oral arguments at Peninsula College’s Port Angeles Campus in the “Little Theater” on Thursday, May 28th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
Case 1 State v. Martinez-Loyola, No. 104658-8
Issue: 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?
Case 2 Baker v. Seattle Children’s Hospital, No. 104590-4
Issue: 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?
These briefs are available on the court’s website at www.courts.wa.gov/briefs. Search under “Supreme Court” by the case number.