Opinion ID: 2454018
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Gant and Patton Apply Retroactively

Text: ¶ 18 A preliminary question in this case is whether Millan and Robinson may receive the retroactive benefit of the United States Supreme Court's holding in Gant and subsequent related state and federal court decisions. This court follows the rule set forth in In re Personal Restraint of St. Pierre, 118 Wash.2d 321, 823 P.2d 492 (1992): A `new rule for the conduct of criminal prosecutions is to be applied retroactively to all cases, state or federal, pending on direct review or not yet final.' Id. at 326, 823 P.2d 492 (quoting Griffith v. Kentucky, 479 U.S. 314, 328, 107 S.Ct. 708, 93 L.Ed.2d 649 (1987)). ¶ 19 It is not disputed, nor can there be any doubt, that both Millan and Robinson may therefore receive the retroactive benefit of the rules announced in Gant and Patton. The rules those cases set forth regarding searches of vehicles incident to arrest are undeniably new and relate to the conduct of criminal prosecutions. Both Millan's and Robinson's cases are still pending on direct review. Both petitioners are therefore entitled to the retroactive benefit of the rule.