Bill would speed handling of invalidated drug convictions
OLYMPIA — It’s been nearly a year since the state Supreme Court struck down the half-century-old Washington law that made simple drug possession a felony.
That ruling, known as the Blake decision, put thousands of people in line to get their names cleared by the courts and money back for fines they paid.
Enter Senate Bill 5663, which lawmakers hope will streamline the process from start to finish.
It requires the state Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), in concert with superior, municipal and district courts, to compile a report identifying every person convicted of simple drug possession since 1971, when the law took effect. It also must include those with “nonconviction data” due to completing a diversion program for simple drug possession.
The bill gives the AOC six months to produce lists of those subject to Blake who are incarcerated, and on active or inactive supervision.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/bill-would-speed-handling-of-invalidated-drug-convictions/
