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Goldendale updates municipal code to match state law on protection-order violations
Summary
The council adopted ordinance 15-38 to align Goldendale’s criminal code with a 2021 state statute covering protection-order violations so the city can charge those offenses locally, the police chief said.
The Goldendale City Council adopted an ordinance to update the municipal criminal code so it aligns with state law on protection-order violations.
Police Chief Mike Smith told the council that state changes passed in 2021 established guidelines for protection-order violations that the city had not previously adopted. City legal review and a draft ordinance from the city attorney were cited as the reason to adopt the change so the city can charge violations locally when appropriate.
Why it matters: Adopting the state-aligned language allows local law enforcement to bring municipal charges for protection-order violations consistent with state law and court precedent, which Chief Smith said followed work by the city attorney.
Council moved to adopt ordinance 15-38 to update the city criminal code; the motion passed on a voice vote.
What’s next: The ordinance will be added to the municipal code and enforced according to existing police procedures and applicable state law.
