State v. Sulgrove

The State appeals a dismissal of criminal charges ordered by the trial court pursuant to CrR 8.3(b), which states,

The court on its own motion in the furtherance of justice, after notice and hearing, may dismiss any criminal prosecution and shall set forth its reasons in a written order.

The State argues the dismissal was outside the bounds of the above rule and thus an abuse of discretion. We disagree, and affirm the dismissal.

From the memorandum and order of dismissal, we cull the following pertinent facts. Barry R. Sulgrove, convicted of robbery and serving a 20-year maximum sentence, was…