Panel Hears Opinions On Court

A panel studying the impact of downsizing the state Supreme Court heard conflicting opinions Tuesday night in Spokane.

Attorney Steve Eugster fears there will be fewer dissenting opinions if the court shrinks from nine to seven justices.

But John Clute, dean of Gonzaga Law School, said a seven-member court might operate more efficiently, reaching decisions faster.

Attorney Joe Delay favored scaling down the court if justices could be elected to represent designated geographic regions of the state.

Chief Justice Barbara Durham, who favors downsizing, selected a 21-member panel of citizens and attorneys to analyze the proposal. Such a move would require a constitutional amendment.

Five panel members were in Spokane for the fourth of six public meetings across the state. Only a handful of people attended Tuesday’s session at the Ridpath Hotel. , DataTimes