Sex offender can become Washington state lawyer, court rules

By GENE JOHNSON
Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — A divided Washington Supreme Court has approved a registered sex offender’s application to become an attorney in the state — though the man says he’s not sure he’ll wind up practicing law after all. Zachary Leroy Stevens has been living in Arizona, where he attended law school. He grew up in Utah, where he was convicted of voyeurism after sending child pornography to an undercover detective at age 19. In a 5-4 decision Thursday, the court noted his relative youth at the time and said he had since demonstrated “good moral character.” Stevens now works at the multinational conglomerate Honeywell and says he’s gratified with the decision even if he doesn’t become a practicing lawyer.