[WSBAPT] Seal Police Report Related to Decedent's Death?

[Andrekita Silva]

  Law Office of
F.ANDREKITA SILVA
_______________________________________________________  
                                                            
October 20, 2022
 
James,
 
I don’t know if anyone responded to your inquiry.
 
I was out of town this last week and meant to respond before I left  
but I don’t think I did.
Anyway, I think you would start with the Public Records Act, RCW 42.56.
 
I researched this issue in the past for a family law matter.  Unless  
the incident is under a current police investigation, I'm sure the  
records will be released. I believe it is very difficult to seal  
public records, including records relating to accidents that resulted  
in a death.  You can only seal if there is an invasion of privacy, but  
that means that it would be highly offensive to a reasonable person  
and that there is no legitimate concern to the public. It’s a pretty  
high standard.
 
But, I'd be curious about what you learn.
 
andrekita
Law Office of F. Andrekita Silva
1325 Fourth Avenue, Suite 2000
Seattle, Washington 98101
206-224-8288
www.seattle-silvalaw.com

Quoting "James W. Spencer" <jamess at brothershenderson.com>:

> Greetings Hivemind:
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>    I represent the surviving spouse of a decedent who died in a  
> recreational accident. She’s been contacted by the local police  
> authority who has told her that a local paper has asked for a copy  
> of the police report related to the accident. For privacy purposes,  
> she’s asking me if there is a way to have the police report sealed.
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>    Has anyone seen something like this before? I don’t know if it  
> can be done, and frankly I’m not sure where to start.
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>    Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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>    Thank you,
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>    James
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>    James W. Spencer /(he/him)/
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>    Attorney at Law
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>    Brothers & Henderson, P.S.
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>    936 N 34th St, Suite 200
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>    Seattle, Washington 98103
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>    Phone: (206) 324-4300 x106
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>    Fax: (206) 324-3106
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>    e-mail:   jamess at brothershenderson.com[1]
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>    www.brothershenderson.com[2]
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Links:
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[1] mailto:jamess at brothershenderson.com
[2] http://www.brothershenderson.com/

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