Drug Convictions Vacated Time For a Refund in WA

Have you been convicted of a drug possession charge in Washington State? Remember the court ruling that vacated drug possession convictions for state residents? It's now starting to impact the state. In 2021 the Washington State Supreme Court issued an opinion declaring Washington’s simple possession of a controlled substance statute violates the due process clause of the state and federal constitutions and is therefore void.

DEALING WITH THE OUTCOME

In other words the court found the law criminalizing drug possession was unconstitutional.
It was a big ruling that had prosecutors in Yakima and around the state scrambling to understand its impact. Today courts around the state and in Yakima are beginning to deal with the outcome of the decision by helping those convicted to get a refund.

TIME TO CLAIM YOUR MONEY

A press release from Yakima Municipal Court officials says as a result of this decision, known as State v. Blake, "any Blake-related convictions in Washington State qualify to be removed" from the criminal record of those convicted in the state. That means convictions are vacated. Along with that, any legal financial obligations paid by those convicted qualify to be paid back or financial reimbursement. The release from Yakima Municipal Court says court officials recently completed the processing of vacates for applicable drug possession convictions.

WANT MORE INFO?

Court officials say as part of this process, a copy of the order has been sent to the Yakima Police Department and Washington State Patrol to update criminal history records. For more about Yakima Municipal Court visit https://www.yakimawa.gov/services/municipal-court.
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