Suzanne Lee Elliott is one of the most experienced appellate lawyers in Washington State. Shortly after graduating from law school in 1982, she worked as a staff attorney for the Washington State Supreme Court. Since that time, her practice has always focused on criminal appeals and post-conviction matters in the state and federal courts.
It does not matter what the charge is; a criminal conviction is a serious matter. And, in Washington, persons convicted of a crime have a state constitutional right to appeal. Ms. Elliott has pursued appeals for all kinds of convictions. In 2007, Ms. Elliott argued before the United States Supreme Court in Uttecht v. Brown, a death penalty case. But she also assists clients who are challenging misdemeanor convictions from the municipal and district courts statewide.
Even if time for appeal has passed, it may be useful to consult with Ms. Elliott about whether a previous conviction can be sealed or expunged or protection orders lifted. Previous convictions and protection orders – even juvenile ones- can effect a person’s credit rating, job prospects or immigration status. It is important for clients to take the initiative on these issues.
Ms. Elliott was recently re-appointed as Co-Chairperson of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Amicus Committee.
This fall the Washington State Supreme Court will hear argument on many important cases, two of which are:
- whether a non-citizen defendant who pleaded guilty to a criminal charge should be allowed to withdraw his plea because his attorney misadvised him about the potential deportation consequences of his conviction. The holding will be important to any non-citizens with prior convictions.
- whether the trial court should have granted a petition to terminate an eight-year-old domestic violence protection order that prevented the petitioner from obtaining a security clearance necessary to transfer to a different job within the military. The holding will be important to persons subject to protection orders.
That Court also accepted review of whether the prosecutor in a criminal trial committed reversible misconduct by asking an African-American witness about her interactions with “poleese” and by asserting in closing argument that “black folk don’t testify against black folk.”
