What the complaint seeks
The law firm of Erin Bradley McAleer filed a lawsuit Oct. 19 in Clark County Superior Court over Skamania County Superior Court’s charges for remote appearances, The Columbian reported. The complaint alleges the fees violate state law and burden low- and moderate-income people. It asks the court to declare the charge invalid and bar the county from collecting it.
How the charge is applied
According to KOIN’s account of court records, the court began charging the fee on Jan. 1, 2024. Each party and that party’s attorney is charged $25 for each remote hearing, so a defendant and lawyer appearing by video may together owe at least $50. The county’s remote-hearing information page directs people to submit a Zoom Request Form and provides an online payment option.
The complaint also alleges that Skamania County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office attorneys appear remotely without paying the charge, while criminal defendants are billed. KOIN reported that, according to the complaint, Skamania defaults to remote hearings for criminal defendants.
County and rule context
KOIN reported that Skamania County has about seven residents per square mile and shares its sole Superior Court judge, Randall Krog, with Klickitat County. Krog alternates weekly between the two counties and handles civil and criminal cases. The fee applies to Skamania cases; Klickitat County does not charge for remote appearances, according to KOIN.
The lawsuit concerns fees for remote appearances, not the approval requirements for particular proceedings. The Washington State Register document cited in the article is a suggested amendment to the criminal rule that was published for comment; it should not be treated on its own as confirmation of the current rule. KOIN reported that the Superior Court Judges Association supported changes to remote-appearance rules in 2021, citing potential reductions in missed court dates and warrants and faster case resolution.
Named defendants and responses
The complaint names Judge Randall Krog and Superior Court Administrator Pamela Bell. KOIN reported that both declined to comment because the case is pending. Skamania County Prosecuting Attorney Adam Kick did not respond to KOIN’s question about the fee.
The case was filed in Clark County Superior Court. The firm is asking a judge to invalidate the charge and stop its continued collection, as reported by The Columbian. Details about the fee, the county comparison, and the parties’ responses are attributed to KOIN.
