Washington Courts Recent Opinions

State v. Castillo-Urbina - Criminal Appeal

Washington Court of Appeals Division I issued an opinion in State v. Castillo-Urbina (No. 86454-8), a criminal appeal. The court affirmed the judgment entered on March 8, 2024, in King County Superior Court before Judge Nelson Lee.

State v. Pond - Criminal Appeal, Cowlitz County

Washington Court of Appeals Division I filed an opinion in State v. Pond, a criminal appeal originating from Cowlitz County Superior Court (Case No. 24-1-00222-4). The appellate panel, authored by Judge Janet Chung with concurrences from Judges David Mann and Cecily Hazelrigg, addressed issues arising from the underlying criminal proceedings.

In The Matter Of The Parental Rights To I.C.M.M.

The Washington Court of Appeals Division I filed a parental rights case opinion (Docket No. 87655-4) on April 6, 2026. The matter involves the parental rights to I.C.M.M., with judgment under review from December 16, 2025. The three-judge panel (Diaz, Bui, Coburn) issued the opinion, with Judge Helson having presided over the underlying dependency proceedings. Counsel appeared for appellant parents, the State Attorney General's Office (Social & Health Services), and guardian ad litems through the King County Dependency CASA Program.

In Re The Estate Of: Angela E. Nowell

The Washington Court of Appeals Division I issued an opinion affirming a judgment in an estate matter titled In Re The Estate Of: Angela E. Nowell. The opinion was filed on April 6, 2026, with Judge William L. Dixon having issued the underlying order on June 6, 2025. The three-judge panel consisted of Judge Janet Chung authoring the opinion, with Judges Ian Birk and Lori Smith concurring.

Bin-Bellah Double Jeopardy Plea Rejected by Court

Bin-Bellah Double Jeopardy Plea Rejected by Court

Judge Pro Tem Ruzumna Censured, Removed for Stamp Misuse

Judge Pro Tem Ruzumna Censured, Removed for Stamp Misuse

Alterna Aircraft V B Ltd. v. SpiceJet Ltd. - Foreign Money Judgment Recognition Property Requirement

Washington Supreme Court held that judgment creditors seeking recognition of foreign country money judgments under the Uniform Foreign-Country Money Judgments Recognition Act must establish the judgment debtor has property in Washington when the court lacks personal jurisdiction. The court reversed lower courts and remanded the case involving SpiceJet and an approximately $12 million English judgment.

Alterna Aircraft V B Ltd. v. SpiceJet Ltd.

Washington Supreme Court issued its opinion in Alterna Aircraft V B Ltd. v. SpiceJet Ltd., a commercial dispute between an aircraft leasing company and an airline. The court addressed contract and corporate governance issues with multiple justices issuing majority, dissent, and concurring opinions. The case arose from King County Superior Court docket 23-2-07668-1.

In re Disciplinary Proc. Against Ruzumna - Attorney Discipline

Washington Supreme Court issued a disciplinary opinion against attorney Ruzumna following appeal from the Commission on Judicial Conduct. The case addresses professional conduct standards for attorneys admitted to practice in Washington state. The court affirmed or modified disciplinary sanctions based on findings of professional misconduct.

In re Personal Restraint of Bin-Bellah - Personal Restraint Petition

The Washington Supreme Court issued an opinion in In re Personal Restraint of Bin-Bellah, addressing a personal restraint petition filed by a criminal defendant seeking post-conviction relief. The court analyzed the applicable legal standards for granting personal restraint relief under Washington law. The decision establishes or clarifies procedural and substantive requirements for future personal restraint petitions in Washington courts.