KCLL Klues: Washington State Legal Research

You see it periodically: a flag at a courthouse, public school or other state government building flying at half-staff.  You understand it probably has something to do with honoring the service of a prominent person who has recently died or commemorating an historic event.  But who decides what circumstances trigger this?

At the State level, it’s the Office of the Governor.  The Governor’s web site includes a link to a page devoted to the rules for flag lowering.  There you will find the conditions when it is appropriate to fly the flag at half-staff and information about recent requests by the Governor to do so.  The page also includes links to additional information about the Washington State and United States flags and to Title 4 of the US Code, which describes the proper use and display of our national flag.

It’s interesting to note that while we’re supposed to fly the flag at half-staff on Pearl Harbor Rememberance Day (Dec. 7) and Patriot Day (September 11), we’re not supposed to do so on Memorial Day or Veterans Day.

Finding up-to-date information about procedures in District and Municipal courts–what our State collectively calls Courts of Limited Jurisdiction–is always difficult so we were very happy to see the arrival of AOC’s new Manual for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (12/2009).  The Manual includes substantial sections on civil, criminal and special proceedings such as domestic violence but it also includes sections about the history of limited jurisdiction courts in Washington, RALJ and De Novo appeals, contempt of court, fish and wildlife violations and even a small section on legal research.  It’s an excellent addition to the other materials we use for research in this area and something you should review if you are working with a District or Municipal court.  The Manual is not available directly on the Internet but is shelved in both of our branches at KFW 516 .C68 M36.

On Monday, the Supreme Court issued several rulings that made headlines in the mainstream news.  In US v. Comstock, the Court ruled 7-2 that Congress had not exceeded its power in enacting 18 U.S.C. § 4248, which authorizes federal district courts to order the civil commitment of sexually dangerous federal prisoners even after they have served their criminal sentences.  Read this recap by Eric Hansford of Stanford Law School posted on the SCOTUS blog. 

Another case is Graham v. Florida.  In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled that juveniles who are convicted of crimes less than murder have the right not to be sentenced to life without the potential for release.  The recap on the SCOTUS blog has more details about the ruling, including a “fervent complaint” found in the dissenting opinion.

And now we offer a moment of silence for the cancellation of “Law and Order”….

NBC has decided not to renew the original ”Law and Order” series after twenty years on the air.  The last show of the season will be broadcast on May 24, 2010, at which time it will be tied with “Gunsmoke” as the longest running television show.  After May 24th, you can still watch the original series in syndication, proving that goodbye isn’t really forever.

To learn more about the three US “Law and Order” franchises, click here: “Law and Order“, “Law and Order: SVU” and “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.”

 To read news articles on the cancellation of “Law and Order”, click here and here.

On May 13, 2010, President Obama submitted the New START Treaty Package to the Senate. The treaty will need a two-thirds vote in the Senate before it can be ratified and take the effect of law in the US.

To read the White House Press Release on this treaty, click here.

To read more about the treaty ratification process in the US, click here.

To read the previous blog post on New START, click here.

The King County Law Library now offers SupportCalc in both its Seattle and Kent branches.  SupportCalc is a computer program created by Legal+Plus Software Group.  With data you provide, SupportCalc helps you fill out the Washington State Child Support forms. The program has gathered together all the laws in Washington State pertinent to the Washington Child Support Guidelines and the mandatory domestic relations forms, as well as a thorough understanding of IRS tables and deductions. Its templates are designed to conform with those developed by the state’s Pattern Forms Committee. SupportCalc can produce the Child Support Worksheets, the Financial Declaration, the Law Enforcement Form, and the Confidential Information Form.

Due to illness, the How to Finish Your Divorce class has been cancelled for this evening, May 12th.  Just as a reminder, these classes are typically held on the second Wednesday of every month.  Please check our class schedule for upcoming dates.

Today, President Obama introduced Solicitor General Elena Kagan as his Supreme Court nominee to replace Justice John Paul Stevens.  Ms. Kagan is the first woman to serve as solicitor general and as dean of the Harvard Law School.

For commentary about this nomination, as well as a profile of the nominee, you can click here.  Additional information, as well as the official White House Press Release can be viewed here.