The Criminal Law Section seeks the participation of the Bar, including prosecutors and defense counsel, by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas in the areas of criminal law, correction, procedure, and evidence. The section works with pending legislation and development of statutory enactments to improve and facilitate the administration of justice within the criminal arena.

With an equal number of defense and prosecuting attorney positions, the executive board champions the rights of both the accused and victims in the criminal justice system. Activities include publishing a newsletter, as well as assisting with the Criminal Law Institute.

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The Criminal Law Section offers many resources and benefits for members. On this page you will find information about the section, upcoming events, newsletters, as well as information about the section's executive committee.

Upcoming Programs

NEW! Criminal Justice Institute

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Presented in partnership with the WSBA Criminal Law Section

Join us virtually for the 2023 Criminal Justice Institute. Hear from attorneys, judges, and activists, as they examine critical developments, and answer your questions, providing practical insights and tips. Gain practical guidance, hear timely updates, and take away valuable resources to enhance your practice as well as support yourself and your clients.

When: Nov. 2–3, 2023

Credits:
1.00 Ethics
1.00 Ethics (Equity)
9.50 Law & Legal Procedure
1.00 Other

Tuition:
$249 - Criminal Law Section Members (discount applied at checkout)
$299 - Standard/Non-Section Members
$279 - Join the Section [add the Related Items Criminal Law Section membership ($30) to your cart during checkout and register at the Section member rate ($249)]

Co-Chairs:
Tracey Munger, Mason County Prosecutor's Office, Shelton, WA
Kim E. Hunter, Law Offices of Kim E. Hunter PLLC, Kent, WA

Committee:
Josephine Townsend, Townsend Law PLLC, Vancouver, WA
C. Dale Slack, Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney Office, Dayton, WA
Nicholas Holce, Holce Law Firm, PLLC, Walla Walla, WA
Mark Vovos, Mark E. Vovos, PS, Spokane, WA
Mary Kay High, Department of Assigned Counsel, Tacoma, WA
Kelsey Page, Department of Assigned Counsel, Tacoma, WA
Anita Petra, Benton County Prosecutor's Office, Kennewick, WA
Hugh Bigneheier, Attorney at Law, Tacoma, WA
Daniel LeBeau, Whitman County Prosecutor's Office, Pullman, WA
Rose Boughton, Mason County Public Defender's Office, Shelton, WA
Prof. John Strait, Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, WA
David Stevens, Mason County Prosecutor's Office, Shelton, WA

Faculty:
Francis Adewale, Office of the Public Defender, Spokane, WA
Russell Brown, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Olympia, WA
Dr. Todd Carman Wagner, Carman Wagner Consulting, PLLC, Walla Walla, WA
Gary Drumheller, Washington State Gambling Commission, Olympia, WA
Dean Tze-Ming Chuang, Crary Clark & Domanico PS, Spokane Valley, WA
Col. Matthew Cooper, USPFO, Camp Murray, WA
Jonathan Dichter, DUI Heroes, Lynnwood, WA
Hon. Anthony Gipe, Kent Municipal Court, Kent, WA
Hon. Lisa Mansfield, Lakewood Municipal Court, Lakewood, WA
Michelle Morales, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Kennewick, WA
Anthony Powers, American Equity & Justice Group, Tacoma, WA
Prof. John Strait, Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, WA
David Stevens, Mason County Prosecutor's Office, Shelton, WA

Schedule:
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023
8:10 a.m. Webcast Login Opens
8:25 a.m. Program Begins
11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lunch
3:45 p.m. Adjourn

Friday, Nov. 3, 2023
8:10 a.m. Webcast Login Opens
8:25 a.m. Program Begins
11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lunch
3:45 p.m. Adjourn

Register Online Now!

New! Criminal Law Section Scholarships for 2023 Criminal Justice Institute

The WSBA Criminal Law Section is awarding ten (10) tuition scholarships for the 2023 Criminal Justice Institute. To be eligible for the scholarship, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be an attorney who is currently a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association, and
• Indicate in writing why they should receive a scholarship. The applicants should demonstrate a financial need for the scholarship in their request.

Applications are due by Oct. 25, 2023. For more information including how to apply, please refer to the Criminal Justice Section Scholarships for 2023 Criminal Justice Institute flyer.

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The Latest Criminal Caselaw Notebook for Free

As a benefit to Criminal Law Section members, download the 2023 Criminal Caselaw Notebook, prepared by the Hon. Ron Kessler. If you are having trouble accessing the documents, contact sections@wsba.org.

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Newsletters 

Archived issues are available to section members upon request. To request an issue, please email sections@wsba.org.

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Executive Committee

Executive Committee Meetings

The Executive Committee of the Criminal Law Section conducts meetings from time to time. As meetings are scheduled, details will appear in the events section of this page.

Please contact committee members for any other details on their upcoming meetings and locations.

Join Our List Serve

To join the section list serve and for general questions, please send your email address and Bar number to sections@wsba.org. For more information and to get involved with the section, please contact the section chair, Tracey Munger.

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