Constitutional Law
Hundreds of Wash. Convictions to Be Reversed, Due to Questioning of Prospective Jurors in Chambers
Already busy with existing cases, prosecutors and defense lawyers in Washington state are facing increased workloads due to a deluge of felony convictions, including in rape and murder cases, being reversed because of faulty jury selection practices.
At least 17 convictions in Whatcom County have been reversed after prospective jurors were questioned in chambers instead of open court, and hundreds are expected to be overturned statewide, reports the Bellingham Herald.
Pam Loginsky of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys says the total of likely reversals amounts to “hundreds, easily. It potentially can affect a lot of people.”
