Maziar v. Department of Corrections

¶1 Generally, when a plaintiff brings a maritime claim in state court pursuant to the “saving to suitors” clause,1 article I, section 21 of the Washington Constitution2 establishes the parties’ rights to a jury trial. *215That constitutional provision, however, does not grant such a right to the State of Washington, the party against whom the claim at issue in this case was asserted.

¶2 Plaintiff Scott Maziar initially requested a jury trial. He later moved to strike his jury request, contending that the jury trial right was inapplicable to his cause of action. The State opposed this motion,…