Washington v. Jorgenson

Appellant Roy Jorgenson was released on bond after a trial court judge found probable cause to believe he had shot someone. He was arrested with a handgun and an AR-15 rifle. Appellant was not at home at the time, nor was there any evidence that he was defending himself. He was convicted of violating RCW 9.41.040(2)(a)(iv). On appeal of his conviction, appellant argued that RCW 9.41.040(2)(a)(iv) violated his rights to bear arms under the federal and state constitutions. The Supreme Court deferred to the legislature's conclusion that when a trial judge finds probable cause to believe a defendant committed a serious offense, public safety justifies temporarily limiting that person's right to possess arms. The Court held that the statute was constitutional as applied to appellant and therefore affirmed his conviction. View "Washington v. Jorgenson" on Justia Law