Springer v. Department of Licensing

This is an appeal by petitioner James Springer from an order dismissing his appeal for a hearing de novo before the Superior Court after a suspension of his driver's license by the State of Washington Department of Licensing (Department) for his failure to submit to a chemical test of his breath.1 We find that the trial court erred in dismissing the action when Springer failed to personally appear in the trial court at the time set. The court asked if the parties were ready to proceed and Springer's attorney stated that the petitioner was absent but asked that the matter be permitted to…