Charles W. Johnson

This page is about the Washington Supreme Court justice. If you are looking for another judge named "Charles Johnson", please see: Charles Johnson.

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Charles W. Johnson
Current Court Information:
Washington State Supreme Court
Title:	Justice
Service:
Active:	1991 - present
Personal History
Bachelors:	University of Washington, 1974
Law School:	Seattle University School of Law, 1976

Charles W. Johnson is an associate justice of the Washington Supreme Court. He was first elected to the state's highest court in January 1991.He is now the most senior justice on the court. His current term expires in 2014.

Education

Johnson received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in 1974 and his J.D. from the Seattle University School of Law in 1976.

Career

After graduating from law school, Johnson went into private practice. In 1991, he was elected to the Washington Supreme Court. He also acts as an adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law.

Awards and Associations

• 2012 recipient, John J. McAulay Legal Educator Award
• Member, Washington State Bar Association
• Member, Tacome-Pierce County Bar Association
• Member, American Inns of Court
• Member, World Affairs Council
• Former member, Board of Directors, Washington Association for Children and Parents
• Former co-chairman, Washington State Minority and Justice Commission
• Former member, Washington State Limited Practice Board
• Former Chairman, Task Force on Equal Civil Justice Funding

Elections

2008

For Position 4, Charles Johnson defeated challengers James Beecher and Frank Vulliet, winning 59.21% of the vote.

2002

Johnson narrowly won re-election, defeating Pamela Loginsky with 54.59% of the vote.

In the 2002 race for the Washington Supreme Court, Charles Johnson raised $114,363.

For a breakdown of money raised, click Follow the Money: Charles Johnson here.

1996

Johnson won re-election against Douglas J. Smith, receiving 62.24% of the vote.

Seattle Times interview

• General election question: What about your personal background and community involvement qualifies you for this position?

I practiced law for 14 years, representing clients with more common legal problems, the type of cases the court often deals with. I enjoy, in my spare time, teaching state constitutional law at Seattle University and support dozens of worthwhile community programs.

• Primary election questions: What can Washington state justices do to ensure mistakes aren’t made in death-penalty cases?

We can, as we have, adopt rules requiring appointment of qualified counsel and, as the budget allows, increase the pay to attract more qualified counsel.

• What do you think about a judge declaring the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional because it mentions God?

I disagree that the First Amendment prohibits repeating the words "under God." The First Amendment is concerned about the establishment of a government religion and is not antagonistic toward religious practices.

• What value do you hold above all others and why? Personally, my relationship with my wife and family.

As a judge, individual rights and liberties.

Notable rulings

Marijuana odor in vehicle?

Johnson wrote the majority opinion for a unanimous decision in July 2008 determining that police cannot arrest passengers for riding in a car that smells like marijuana. The decision, "Our cases have strongly and rightfully protected our constitution's protection of individual privacy. The protections... do not fade away or disappear within the confines of an automobile. We hold that the smell of marijuana in the general area where an individual is located is insufficient, without more, to support probable cause for arrest. Where no other evidence exists linking the passenger to any criminal activity, an arrest of the passenger on the suspicion of possession of illegal substances, and any subsequent searches, is invalid and an unconstitutional invasion of that individual's right to privacy." reads

Dissent on freedom of information

On May 13, 2004, the Washington Supreme Court ruled in a 5 to 4 decision that the attorney-client privilege is greater than the "Public Disclosure Act." Chief Justice Gerry Alexander wrote for the majority that the legislature "created the exemption when it amended the disclosure law, which makes most government documents available to the public, in 1987." Johnson wrote in the dissent that the decision "renders ineffectual the (law's) strong mandate to agencies that they must disclose public information," and that the law applies to lawyers, not governmental agencies. His dissent was signed by Justices Barbara Madsen, Richard Sanders and Tom Chambers.

See also

• News: Washington Supreme Court Justice Charles Johnson honored, September 29, 2012

External links

• Washington Courts, Associate Chief Justice Charles W. Johnson
• Project Vote Smart, Associate Chief Justice Charles W. Johnson (WA)
• The New York Times, "LAW; For Want of Recognition, Chief Justice Is Ousted", September 28, 1990
• The Seattle Times, Interview with Charles Johnson
• The Washington Supreme Court blog, an unofficial blog that covers the Washington State Supreme Court and its justices

References