State's highest court meets in area

The Washington State Supreme Court paid a visit to the Colville Confederated Tribes on May 7 and 8, meeting with high school students, holding a public forum, and reviewing cases.

The court visits three places each year that are outside of Olympia, the state capitol, as part of their public outreach program.

"We use this opportunity to try and demystify us," said Associate Chief Justice Charles Johnson during the May 7 public forum. "It's healthy for government to be exposed and have our decision-making process exposed."

During the public forum, the nine justices introduced themselves, and some of the estimated 50 people in attendance asked questions of the court.

In response to a question related to the development of human rights overtime, Justice Steven Gonzales said, "We as a community on this land have to decide what we think justice is within the confines of the principles that we've agreed to share."

"The broad language was meant to be interpreted along broad principles," Justice McCloud said about interpreting the constitution in the context of modern times as opposed to when it was written. "We're constantly looking at cases that come before us and asking, 'Is this governed by the old principle, or is this a case in which it's time to take the broad language of the constitution?' The constitution was designed to uplift us and bring us to our better selves and be a foundation for a bigger democracy; is it time to reevaluate a little rule to more fully realize those principles."

Elaborating on the process involved in making decisions, Justice Barbara Madsen explained that experts are utilized to help understand things such as the context of the times in which a treaty was written.

The topic of injustice against native Americans over the years was addressed, with Justice Debra Stephens saying that the court has some power to right some wrongs, and that they seek to do so.

On May 8, the court took a look at three cases involving child-care licensing for people with certain criminal backgrounds, a mistrial case, and whether snowmobiles should be classified as "motor vehicles" in cases of theft.

The state's highest court is composed of Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst, Associate Justices Charles W. Johnson, and Justices Barbara A. Madsen, Susan J. Owens, Debra L. Stephens, Charles K. Wiggins, Steven C. González, Sheryl McCloud and Mary I. Yu.