Criminal Law Section
The Criminal Law Section seeks the participation of the Bar, including prosecutors and defense counsel, by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas in the areas of criminal law, correction, procedure, and evidence. The section works with pending legislation and development of statutory enactments to improve and facilitate the administration of justice within the criminal arena.
With an equal number of defense and prosecuting attorney positions, the executive board champions the rights of both the accused and victims in the criminal justice system. Activities include publishing a newsletter, as well as assisting with the Criminal Law Institute.
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The Criminal Law Section offers many resources and benefits for members. On this page you will find information about the section, upcoming events, newsletters, as well as information about the section's executive committee.
Upcoming ProgramsCriminal Caselaw NotebookSection List Serve | NewslettersExecutive CommitteeExecutive Committee Meetings |
Congratulations, Incoming Executive Committee Members!
Below are the results of the Criminal Law Section Executive Committee election. Thank you for voting!
For more information about the Section and its executive committee roles, please review the Section's bylaws. Winners are listed alphabetically by position.
Chair: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2024.
Chair-elect: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2024.
Secretary/Treasurer: one-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2024.
At-Large Member Representing Defense: remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2024.
At-Large Member Representing Defense: remainder of current term ending Sept. 30, 2025.
At-Large Member Representing Defense: three-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2026.
At-Large Member Representing Prosecution: three-year position beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and ending Sept. 30, 2026.
Questions? Contact sections@wsba.org.
Upcoming Programs
NEW! Criminal Justice Institute
Register Now!
Presented in partnership with the WSBA Criminal Law Section
Join us virtually for the 2023 Criminal Justice Institute. Hear from attorneys, judges, and activists, as they examine critical developments, and answer your questions, providing practical insights and tips. Gain practical guidance, hear timely updates, and take away valuable resources to enhance your practice as well as support yourself and your clients.
When: Nov. 2–3, 2023
Credits:
1.00 Ethics
1.00 Ethics (Equity)
9.50 Law & Legal Procedure
1.00 Other
Tuition:
$249 - Criminal Law Section Members (discount applied at checkout)
$299 - Standard/Non-Section Members
$279 - Join the Section [add the Related Items Criminal Law Section membership ($30) to your cart during checkout and register at the Section member rate ($249)]
Co-Chairs:
Tracey Munger, Mason County Prosecutor's Office, Shelton, WA
Kim E. Hunter, Law Offices of Kim E. Hunter PLLC, Kent, WA
Committee:
Josephine Townsend , Townsend Law PLLC, Vancouver, WA
C. Dale Slack, Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney Office, Dayton, WA
Nicholas Holce, Holce Law Firm, PLLC, Walla Walla, WA
Mark Vovos, Mark E. Vovos, PS, Spokane, WA
Mary Kay High, Department of Assigned Counsel, Tacoma, WA
Kelsey Page, Department of Assigned Counsel, Tacoma, WA
Anita Petra, Benton County Prosecutor's Office, Kennewick, WA
Hugh Bigneheier, Attorney at Law, Tacoma, WA
Daniel LeBeau, Whitman County Prosecutor's Office, Pullman, WA
Rose Boughton, Mason County Public Defender's Office, Shelton, WA
Faculty:
FrancisAdewale, Office of the Public Defender, Spokane, WA
Russell Brown, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Olympia, WA
Dr. Todd Carman Wagner, Carman Wagner Consulting, PLLC, Walla Walla, WA
Gary Drumheller, Washington State Gambling Commission, Olympia, WA
Dean Tze-Ming Chuang, Crary Clark & Domanico PS, Spokane Valley, WA
Col. Matthew Cooper, USPFO, Camp Murray, WA
Jonathan Dichter, DUI Heroes, Lynnwood, WA
Hon. Anthony Gipe, Kent Municipal Court, Kent, WA
Hon. Lisa Mansfield, Lakewood Municipal Court, Lakewood, WA
Michelle Morales, Benton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Kennewick, WA
Anthony Powers, American Equity & Justice Group, Tacoma, WA
Prof. John Strait, Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, WA
David Stevens, Mason County Prosecutor's Office, Shelton, WA
Schedule:
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023
8:10 a.m. Webcast Login Opens
8:25 a.m. Program Begins
11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lunch
3:45 p.m. Adjourn
Friday, Nov. 3, 2023
8:10 a.m. Webcast Login Opens
8:25 a.m. Program Begins
11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lunch
3:45 p.m. Adjourn
Register Online Now!
The Latest Criminal Caselaw Notebook for Free
As a benefit to Criminal Law Section members, download the 2023 Criminal Caselaw Notebook, prepared by the Hon. Ron Kessler. If you are having trouble accessing the documents, contact sections@wsba.org.
Newsletters
Archived issues are available to section members upon request. To request an issue, please email sections@wsba.org.
Executive Committee
Terms run Oct. 1, 2022–Sept. 30, 2023, unless otherwise noted
Chair: Josephine Townsend
Chair-Elect: Tracey Munger
Immediate Past Chair: C Dale Slack
Secretary/Treasurer: Nicholas Holce
Young Lawyer Liaison*: Vacant
Board of Governors Liaison*: Erik Kaeding (2022–2023) and Brett Purtzer (2022–2023)
Committee Members
Representing Defense Mark E. Vovos (2021–2024) | Representing Prosecution Anita Petra (2022–2025) *Nonvoting member |
Executive Committee Meetings
The Executive Committee of the Criminal Law Section conducts meetings from time to time. As meetings are scheduled, details will appear in the events section of this page.
Please contact committee member for any other details on their upcoming meetings and locations.
Join Our List Serve
To join the section list serve and for general questions, please send your email address and Bar number to sections@wsba.org. For more information and to get involved with the section, please contact the section chair, Josephine Townsend.
