Legal Opinion
State v. Schaler
Washington Supreme Court
Decided July 29, 2010No. 81864-9PublishedCited by 59 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtStephens, J.
¶1 — This case concerns the interplay between the threats-to-kill provision of Washington’s harassment statute, RCW 9A.46.020, and the First Amendment’s limits on the criminalization of speech. We adhere to our previous position that the harassment statute must be read to proscribe only “true threats” and hold that the jury instructions in this case did not adequately limit the statute’s reach. Given the evidence at trial, the instructional error was not harmless. We therefore reverse and remand for a new trial under proper instructions.
BACKGROUND FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
¶2 On the morning…
2Cases cited26 opinions
- Burks v. United StatesSupreme Court of the United States · 1978
- Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union of United States, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1984
- Virginia v. BlackSupreme Court of the United States · 2003
- State v. O'HaraWashington Supreme Court · 2009
- Petersen v. StateWashington Supreme Court · 1983
21 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by59 opinions
- State v. SublettWashington Supreme Court · 2012
- State v. AllenWashington Supreme Court · 2013
- State of Iowa v. Jeffrey Alan SoboroffSupreme Court of Iowa · 2011
- Diaz v. StateWashington Supreme Court · 2012
- State v. GrimesCourt of Appeals of Washington · 2011
54 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.