No. 19-160

Heather Singleton, et al. v. Mary Fairhurst, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Washington, et al.

Lower Court: Washington
Docketed: 2019-08-02
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: 14th-amendment constitutional-challenge due-process fourteenth-amendment judicial-power pro-tem-judge supremacy-clause washington-state
Key Terms:
DueProcess JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2019-10-01
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether the Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme
Court in order to ensure "maximum efficiency" of
Washington courts pursuant to Wash. Rev. Code
2.56.030(3), and (4), can consistent with the Supremacy
Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution, issue an order authorizing a pro tem judge
to exercise judicial power to adjudicate a specific case
to its conclusion without having to consider litigants'
challenges that the pro tem judge is constitutionally
prohibited from doing so under this Court's Due Process Clause precedents.

Whether under the Supremacy Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment a pro tem judge in Washington
State who has been authorized by the Chief Justice of
the Washington Supreme Court to adjudicate a case to
its conclusion, and who has a legal duty under Washington law to comply with this direction pursuant to
Wash. Rev. Code 2.56.040 must still consider recusing
herself based on her JUDGMENT as set forth on the
record where litigants challenge she is biased under
this Court's due process precedents.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court can authorize a pro tem judge to exercise judicial power consistent with the Supremacy Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment

Docket Entries

2019-10-07
Petition DENIED.
2019-08-21
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/1/2019.
2019-08-14
Waiver of right of respondents Mary Fairhurst, et al. to respond filed.
2019-07-30
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 3, 2019)

Attorneys

Heather Singleton, et al.
Scott Erik StafneStafne Law Advocacy & Consulting, Petitioner
Mary Fairhurst, et al.
Jeffrey Todd Even — Respondent