State v. J-R Distributors, Inc.

765 P.2d 281, 111 Wash. 2d 764
CourtWashington Supreme Court
DecidedDecember 15, 1988
Docket53988-0
StatusPublished
Cited by18 cases

This text of 765 P.2d 281 (State v. J-R Distributors, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Washington Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. J-R Distributors, Inc., 765 P.2d 281, 111 Wash. 2d 764 (Wash. 1988).

Opinions

Callow, J. —

The State challenges the King County Superior Court order granting J-R Distributors' (J-R) motion for return of property. The State contends both that the Superior Court did not have jurisdiction to enter the order and that J-R's motion should not have been [766]*766granted on the merits. The issues presented by the State are:

1. Whether the Superior Court had jurisdiction over the alleged pornographic material which was the subject matter of a criminal case, when the case has been appealed to an appellate court.

2. Whether there are constitutional requirements mandating a different standard of probable cause for affidavits supporting requests for the issuance of a search warrant for pornographic material.

3. Whether there are constitutional requirements mandating a judicial hearing prior to the seizure of alleged pornographic material rather than a review of affidavits by a magistrate.

We affirm the Superior Court's issuance of an order requiring the return of material seized beyond that properly held for evidence and remand for determination as to whether those items seized for evidentiary purposes may be used in the criminal action against J-R Distributors.

I

Procedural and Factual Recitation

On October 9, 1986, a Seattle District Court Judge issued a warrant authorizing the search of J-R's retail outlet and warehouse. The warrant was issued pursuant to an affidavit filed by a detective of the Seattle Police Department. The affidavit stated that the detective believed that evidence of the crime of promoting pornography could be found at these locations. The affidavit also stated that the detective had inspected J-R's retail store and discovered a large number of "bondage" type magazines. See State v. Reece, 110 Wn.2d 766, 757 P.2d 947 (1988) (consolidated with State v. J-R Distribs., Inc.). The detective purchased several of these magazines and briefly described their contents in the affidavit. The affidavit then listed 17 magazines sought to be seized and included a brief description of each magazine. Finally, the affidavit stated that the detective believed that additional pornographic material could be [767]*767found at J-R's retail store and warehouse. The warrant was executed the same day.

Later that day the District Court Judge issued a second search warrant for the store, based on an affidavit from a second detective. This detective stated that while serving the first warrant he observed additional items that would support a charge of promoting pornography. The second warrant included a list of 18 magazines and a brief description of each. The District Court Judge then issued a second search warrant for the warehouse, based on the first detective's affidavit stating that he observed additional items there that would support a charge of promoting pornography. This affidavit listed 83 different magazines and 16 videotapes. Pursuant to these warrants, the police seized approximately 1,182 copies of 103 magazines and 16 videotapes.

On October 13, 1986, J-R filed a motion for return of property in Seattle District Court. Before that motion was heard, an information was filed in superior court charging J-R with 38 counts of promoting pornography and 55 counts of attempting to promote pornography, in violation of RCW 9.68.140.1 On February 4, 1987, the Superior Court dismissed the information based on its conclusion that [768]*768RCW 9.68.140 was unconstitutional. The State sought review of the dismissal in this court, pursuant to RAP 2.3(d) and RAP 4.2(a)(4). We accepted review, reversed the Superior Court and remanded the cause of State v. J-R Distribs., Inc., supra, for trial. The issue before us in this appeal was not before the court in State v. Reece, supra, and State v. J-R Distribs., Inc., supra. State v. Reece, supra, was concerned with the constitutionality of RCW 7.48A.010 and RCW 9.68.140 and held that these statutes did not violate the federal or state guaranties of freedom of speech. U.S. Const. amend. 1; Const. art. 1, § 5.

The State failed to return the seized materials to J-R following the dismissal of the information. J-R then noted its motion for return of property for hearing in Seattle District Court. On March 5, 1987, the District Court Judge denied the motion. J-R appealed this denial to the King County Superior Court on March 11, 1987. On May 21, 1987, the Superior Court entered an order requiring that the property be returned. We stayed the order, pending our determination as to whether the Superior Court had the authority to order the return of the seized materials.

II

Proper Court for Hearing Motion for Return of Property

The State contends that the Superior Court did not have jurisdiction to decide whether J-R's motion for return of illegally seized property had been improperly denied by the Seattle District Court. The State asserts that the Superior Court could not rule on the motion without first obtaining permission from the Supreme Court, because review had already been accepted by this court, pursuant to RAP 7.2.

RAP 7.2 delineates the authority of the trial court after review has been accepted by an appellate court. RAP 7.2(a) states that: " [ajfter review is accepted by the appellate court, the trial court has authority to act in a case only to the extent provided in this rule ..." RAP 7.2(e) grants the trial court authority to hear and determine postjudgment [769]*769motions and actions to modify decisions in certain circumstances. However, "[i]f the trial court determination will change a decision then being reviewed by the appellate court, the permission of the appellate court must be obtained prior to the entry of the trial court decision." RAP 7.2(e).

Formerly, Washington practice required a party to first file a motion in the appellate court requesting permission to file a postjudgment motion in the superior court. Doss v. Schuller, 47 Wn.2d 520, 522, 288 P.2d 475 (1955). Now, under RAP 7.2, the motion is made initially in the trial court, and goes before the appellate court only if the lower court grants the motion. See RAP 7.2(e). The Comment to RAP 7.2(e) states:

Under these rules, the motion is heard first in the court best equipped to evaluate the grounds for a post-trial motion. Unnecessary work for the appellate court is eliminated.

Comment, RAP 7.2(e), 86 Wn.2d 1173 (1976). Thus, the procedure set forth in RAP 7.2(e) was intended to grant more authority to the trial court with regard to postjudgment motions.

In order to determine whether the Superior Court complied with the requirements set forth in RAP 7.2, we must determine whether its ruling on J-R's motion was a determination that affected a decision being reviewed by this court. See RAP 7.2(e).

J-R initially filed a motion for return of illegally seized property in Seattle District Court.

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State v. J-R Distributors, Inc.
765 P.2d 281 (Washington Supreme Court, 1988)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
765 P.2d 281, 111 Wash. 2d 764, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-j-r-distributors-inc-wash-1988.