Court Opinion

ID: 9542181
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:31:40.432657+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:06:59.597937
License: Public Domain

*610Wright, C.J.
(concurring) — I concur in the majority opinion and have signed the same. I do, however, wish to comment on one aspect of this matter. Mr. Justice Utter in his dissent referred to the use of the word "lewd". I fully agree with him that this word is unfortunate in that it will brand these young women with an ill deserved stigma. Certainly the use of that word will bring to the minds of persons learning of the conviction visions of something far different from what actually happened.
The legislative body had clear authority to forbid the conduct involved in this litigation. The legislative body had clear authority to define the words used in its enactment. John H. Sellen Constr. Co. v. Department of Revenue, 87 Wn.2d 878, 558 P.2d 1342 (1976).
While the use of the word "lewd" is unfortunate, that relates to the wisdom of a legislative enactment. It is not a judicial function to pass upon the wisdom of legislative enactments. State v. Carey, 4 Wash. 424 (1892); Treffry v. Taylor, 67 Wn.2d 487, 408 P.2d 269 (1965); State ex rel. Wolfe v. Parmenter, 50 Wash. 164, 96 P. 1047 (1908).
Another problem seems involved in ordinance No. 12A.12.150. In this case there is no question the Seattle Arboretum is a public place. The ordinance, however, does contain the language "in a public place or at a place and under circumstances where such act could be observed by any member of the public." It is not difficult to predict that at some future time the quoted language may come under question by a party with standing to challenge the same.
Hicks, J., concurs with Wright, C.J.