State v. Blake resulted in records being cleared for those convicted under Washington’s felony drug possession laws. The Supreme Court found the state’s ban on simple drug possession was unconstitutional because it didn’t require proof that a person knowingly possessed illegal drugs. Of course, the flaw in the law has been somewhat fixed by the legislature. At least for the time being. The legislature has made simple drug possession a misdemeanor offense, not a felony.
Those who were convicted under the previous drug possession law are getting cleared of any wrongdoing slowly but surely. In some jurisdictions it is happening sua sponte – without the need for people to file a special request, i.e. King County where prosecutors are seeking judicial orders on their own, without any action whatsoever by those convicted of felony drug possession. Of course, it is a good idea for those folks to ensure their addresses are up-to-date because undoubtedly they will eventually get a refund from the court for any court costs, fees and assessments they paid. Other jurisdictions are referring people to websites where they can have their records cleared and their fines refunded, eventually.
No doubt these vacated records will make a positive impact on the lives of those convicted. Getting a job or a place to live may get significantly easier for them, which is a great thing in the long run. Sadly, patience is required as the government sifts through its backlog of felony drug possession offenses.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you, and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer.
