Court Opinion

ID: 9949785
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-12 16:16:42.817272+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:33:39.448457
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                         Washington State
                                                                                         Court of Appeals
                                                                                          Division Two

                                                                                          March 12, 2024
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                         DIVISION II
 STATE OF WASHINGTON,                                                No. 57007-6-II

                                Respondent,

            v.

 BRIAN MARTIN JUSTICE,                                        UNPUBLISHED OPINION

                                Appellant.

       LEE, J. — Brian M. Justice appeals his conviction for possession of a stolen motor vehicle,

arguing that remand is necessary for the trial court to enter required findings of fact and

conclusions of law. Because this appeal is now moot, we dismiss it.

                                              FACTS

       Following a bench trial on May 24, 2022, Justice was found guilty of possession of a stolen

motor vehicle. Justice appealed.

       A commissioner of this court stayed the case to allow the trial court to enter findings of

fact and conclusions of law related to the bench verdict. In an extension of the stay, the

commissioner ordered that “[t]he appellant should file a supplemental designation of Clerk's

Papers after the findings are entered, upon which the stay is automatically lifted and either party

may have 15 days after that pleading is part of the appellate record in order to request supplemental

briefing.” Ruling (April 3, 2023). The trial court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law were

entered in April 2023. Justice filed a supplemental designation of clerk’s papers, and the stay was

lifted. Justice did not request to file supplemental briefing nor did he file any supplemental

briefing.
No. 57007-6-II

                                            ANALYSIS

        Justice appealed, arguing that remand was necessary for the trial court to enter findings of

fact and conclusions of law. Because this case is now moot, we dismiss it.

        We will dismiss a case that is moot. RAP 18.9(c). A case is moot if this court cannot

provide effective relief. State v. Palmer, 24 Wn. App. 2d 1, 23, 518 P.3d 252 (2022).

        Here, the trial court has now entered findings of fact and conclusions of law. Therefore,

the relief Justice is seeking has already occurred and there is no further relief that we can provide.

Accordingly, Justice’s appeal is moot and we dismiss it.

        A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2.06.040,

it is so ordered.

                                                      Lee, J.
 We concur:

 Maxa, J.

 Glasgow, C.J.

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