Washington Court Dismisses Sex Abuse Case Originating in Idaho

Patterson Buchanan has succeeded in getting a lawsuit dismissed that was brought in a Washington court over alleged sexual misconduct originating in Idaho. The King County Superior Court concluded that Idaho, rather than Washington, would be the more appropriate judicial forum in which to bring the case.

The plaintiff's lawsuit alleged misconduct by her high school coach dating back about 30 years. The plaintiff claimed that all but three of the alleged acts occurred in Idaho. Both the plaintiff and the defendant were Idaho residents at the time and still are today.

Patterson Buchanan attorneys Pat Buchanan and Angie Marshlain filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiff's claims based upon the doctrine of "forum non conveniens." They argued that Idaho provided a viable alternative forum to Washington, as both the private interests of the parties, as well as the public interests in each state, made Idaho the more convenient forum for the case. The Honorable Jay V. White granted the motion, noting that the relationship between the plaintiff and defendant was centered in Idaho, that the plaintiff had identified no witnesses found in Washington, that any relevant records in Washington did not appear controversial and could readily be provided to an Idaho court, and that other public interest factors favored the matter being heard in Idaho.

The case is Goodwin v. Tillotson.