Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington
researching an old homicide case - need advice
I'm looking into a 1976 homicide case in Seattle. Defendant originally recieved death sentence but won an appeals court case (recieved right--name removed--retrial). I have the text of the appeal ruling but I'm looking--name removed--find two other things: transcript of the original trial and something that tells me what happened after the appeals court ruling (new trial? deal on lesser sentencing?).
As a non-lawyer, I don't know where--name removed--start. Simple web searches got me the appeal court ruling but nothing else.
Can I get materials directly from the courts? If so, which court (county, state, I don't no which would have records on this trial/final sentencing)?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: researching an old homicide case - need advice
Contact the clerk of the superior court in the county in which the case was filed. You should be able to view the case on microfiche and copy any documents. You can also request a transcript of the trial from the clerk. (Take your wallet).
Proceedings occurring after the initial appeal should be part of the original file, i.e. same cause number.
You will find reference to the county name at the beginning of the appellate decision.
Related Questions & Answers
-
Conviction for Statuatory Rape as an Adolescent If an individual was convicted of... Asked 4/23/04, 12:42 am in United States Washington Criminal Law
-
Public defenders How do you obtain a new public defender,when the one you have... Asked 4/19/04, 12:40 am in United States Washington Criminal Law
-
Assault 3 in the state of washington, what is assault 3? Asked 4/01/04, 10:40 pm in United States Washington Criminal Law