State v. Lanciloti

¶1 — Our constitution guarantees “an impartial jury of the county in which the offense is charged to have been committed” in all “criminal prosecutions.” Const. art. I, § 22. The primary question before us today is whether the legislature violated this guaranty when it allowed King County to divide itself into two superior court jury districts. We conclude that the legislature had the plenary power to enact this legislation, affirm the superior court, and remand.

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¶2 King County holds superior court in two locations: the King County courthouse in Seattle and the Norm Maleng Regional…