Opinion ID: 2632744
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: State v. Harner

Text: On October 14, 2001, Melody Harner was arrested in Montesano, Washington, for driving with a suspended license. While conducting a search incident to the arrest, the police officer found a syringe loaded with methamphetamine in Harner's purse. Harner was charged in Grays Harbor County with possession of methamphetamine under RCW 69.50.401(d), a felony. Clerks Papers 1(CP1) at 39. [1] Before trial, Harner sought to either have her case diverted to drug court in Thurston County because Grays Harbor County had not established a drug court program or, in the alternative, to have her case dismissed. Harner argued that the unavailability of a drug court program violated her rights to equal protection and due process. The trial court denied Harner's motion. Harner was convicted and sentenced to 45 days confinement and 12 months of community custody. CP1 at 39-43. Harner filed an appeal with Division Two of the Court of Appeals. The State filed a motion on the merits in response to her appeal. Relying on that court's decision in State v. Little, 116 Wash.App. 346, 66 P.3d 1099, review denied, 150 Wash.2d 1019, 81 P.3d 119 (2003), the commissioner of the Court of Appeals affirmed Harner's judgment and sentence, ruling that Grays Harbor County's failure to offer a drug court did not violate Harner's right to equal protection. The commissioner further ruled that Harner's right to due process was not violated because Harner did not have a right to participate in drug court. Specifically, the commissioner stated that the legislature had the authority to allow counties to choose whether to establish a drug court under Little. The Court of Appeals denied Harner's motion to modify the commissioner's ruling.