The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1921-02-10
DIVORCE CASES
LEAD in COUNTY
Court Called Upon to Pass Judg.
ment on Thirty Matrimonial
,,r Entangling Alliances
tEod T9hTCI, -

The year 1920 was a banner one
for. divorces in Benton county. Ac-
cording to the annual report Of Pros
ecuting Attorney G. w. Hamilton,
forwarded last week to the governor,
the superior court of this county was
asked to annul 30 marriage ties while
criminal cases for all causes which
came before it numbered only %.
In the majority Of cases the court
looked with favor upon the prayers
of those who sought freedom from
matrimonial entanglements for in
only two cases were DEGREES of divorce
denied. Twenty divorces were grant
ed and eight cases are still pending.
Only three alleged violations of the
prohibition law were brought to the
official notice Of the superior court.
Of the three alleged offenders two
plead guilty and paid fines and the
third was dismissed. a.... - !
In minor offenses handled by the
prosecuting attorney Prosser justice
courts lead Kennewick by almost three
to one. During the year the Prosser
courts heard 1O1 cases and assessed
$1,566OO. The Kennewick courts
heard SO cases and assessed $283.00 in
fines. 49, .s~&
The attorneys report follows:
To Hon. Louis F.. Hart, Governor of
the State of Washington:
AS required by law, I beg leave to
submit herewith my annual report as
Prosecuting Attorney of Benton Coun-
ty for the year ending December 81,
1920: -~. -
Civil Litigation
There has been two civil cases ap-
pealed to the Supreme Court which
are still pending; two criminal cases
appealed, one confirmed and one
pending. ia.
Criminal Litigation
There have been no homicide cases
during the year 1920.
Other Criminal Cases
In the superior court of said county,
the following cases have been brought
by information and disposed of as fol-
lows:
One charge having intoxicating Ii
quor in possession, the party pleading
guilty and fined $4,000 and costs.
Two cases for manufacturing IL
quor, one plead guilty and fined $21O.
and the other case dismissed.
Five charges of grand larceny, three
convictions, one dismissal and one not
arrested.
Four charges for misdemeanor, two
cases dismissed, two convictions, fined
$1,000.
One charge Of forgery, convicted,
sentenced to the reform school.
One charge of indecent assault,
plead guilty, fined 81 100000 and costs.
Two cases of assault, convictions in
both cases, fine and costs in one case
$250.O0 and costs; fine and costs in
second cases $176.5O and costs.
One case of abduction, dismissed.
Two cases of abandoning wife and
children, both were required to sup
port wife and children and give bond
for same.
One charge of carnal knowledge, not
tried, 4
One case of contempt of court, no
conviction. az" #
Two cases of obtaining notes false
ly and fraudulenty, pending.
The amount of fines collected in the
superior court during the last year,
$1,405.0O. s
Justice Court Litigation
During the year closed, there have
been filed by this office in the justice
courts of the county, the following
number of coses and fines and costs
collected:
In Justice C. j. Bakers court, Pros
ser precinct, Benton County, there
have been filed 100 minor criminal
cases on account of which there have
been collected in said court during the
year 1920 in fines, the sum of $1541.
In Justice C. Staser's court of Ken
newick precinct, Benton County, there
have been filed 35 minor criminal cas-
es on account of which there have
been collected $265.00.
In Justice j. T. Slavin's Court of
Hanford precinct, Benton County,
Washington, there have been filed five
minor criminal cases on account of
which there have been collected the
sum of $500.
In Justice j. P. Savidge's Court of
Prosser precinct Benton County, there
has been one case filed, fined $500.
In Justice F. A. Dunlap's Court Of
Kennewick precinct, Benton county,
there has been one case filed, fined
and collected, $500.
Reorganization