City of Seattle v. Bonifacio

The City of Seattle appeals an order of the King County Superior Court affirming the Seattle Municipal Court’s dismissal of criminal charges against Dennis Bonifacio for the City’s failure to comply with CrRLJ 3.3, the time for trial rule. At issue in this appeal is whether the mere issuance of a citation starts the time for trial clock. We conclude that it does and, thus, affirm the superior court.

On March 21,1993, a Seattle police officer detained Dennis Bonifacio for an alleged weapons violation. The officer issued Bonifacio a citation at the scene for what was denominated on the citation…