State v. Stephans

The State appeals dismissal of statutory rape and indecent liberties charges against Leonard A. Stephans "in the furtherance of justice" pursuant to CrR 8.3(b). We affirm.

Stephans was arrested in early October 1984, after the charges were filed initially in district court. Throughout all of the ensuing proceedings, which terminated with the dismissal order entered on April 8, 1985, he remained in jail because of a probation hold from another county. The probation hold was placed on Stephans only because of these charges.

It became apparent early on that both sides were headed for difficulty in…