Washington courts clearing drug convictions, refunding fines

There’s a lot more to go. Hackett estimates that there may be up to 150,000 eligible convictions going back to 1971 statewide, with 54,000 of them in King County. He said the process will be even more difficult when they get beyond the electronic court record, and have to confirm older convictions on microfiche.

Hackett said King County has fewer recent cases since prosecutors have de-emphasized charging people with felony drug possession over the past decade. So he said their contact information is less up to date for the people affected by the Blake ruling. That’s one reason prosecutors are seeking to proactively clear convictions without notifying those affected.

Pierce County resident Matthew Seed said he’s had major frustrations with obtaining his refund for fines paid to Pierce County. Seed said both Thurston and Pierce counties vacated his 15-year-old convictions this past February. And Thurston County issued his $1,200 refund shortly afterward. But Pierce County has yet to refund his $1,528 in fines.

Seed said he’s been sober for five years. He said he needs the refund to pay for more reliable transportation to his job. Seed said he’s glad for the Blake ruling. But he said the harm created by his convictions and fines far exceeded the relief he’s getting now. “We continue to hear that, and I think it’s a result of the fact that this is a very patchwork system,” she said. Dave said the burden on people to get their record cleared and seek their refunds is another variable.

Oh, that will certainly stop the drug abuse!

If you guys actually read what happened you would know the original law was found to be unconstitutional. That's why this happened.

Why the hell would you ever do this? THEY BROKE THE LAW!!! Oh wait this was what jenny durkan pushed to get her sons record cleared😂😂😂

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Ridiculous. It was a law at the time. They broke the law. Hey, they just lifted the speed limit on my section of freeway, I want back every cent I've paid in speeding tickets and higher insurance over the last 40 years. Time for a class action suit.

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