Court Opinion

ID: 9792687
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:34:23.583458+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:35:19.140712
License: Public Domain

Grosse, J.
(dissenting) — While venue is considered a constitutional right, it is neither an element of a crime nor a matter of jurisdiction, and the issue ofvenue is waived by a defendant if not challenged prior to the time jeopardy attaches. See State v. McCorkell, 63 Wn. App. 798, 822 P.2d 795, review denied, 119 Wn.2d 1004 (1992). Here, venue was not at issue until the victim's testimony, or lack thereof, and was not raised by the defense until closing argument. I cannot agree that "the law of the case" overcomes the waiver. The court had jurisdiction and did not abuse its discretion by amending the erroneous instruction. The defense was not prejudiced; it was allowed to reargue the case.