Burgess v. Towne

This is an action brought by a traffic court defendant, as plaintiff, claiming false imprisonment against the municipal court judge. Summary judgment was entered in favor of the defendant municipal judge, and the plaintiff appeals.

The plaintiff, Virginia Burgess, alleged that in September 1973, she appeared before Judge Vernon W. Towne in Seattle Municipal Court charged with two traffic offenses. She stated that following the presentation of testimony, and while the court was summarizing the case orally, the judge said “I know you are guilty.” The plaintiff states that upon hearing this…