On October 4, Snohomish County will host the Blake Drug Relief Day, offering a chance to clear drug possession convictions for many.
Snohomish County to Host Event for Clearing Drug Records
On October 4, 2024, the Snohomish County Courthouse will host the first Blake Drug Possession Relief Day, providing people with the opportunity to clear their records of unconstitutional drug possession convictions. This event, scheduled from 1-4 p.m., is a collaborative effort between local courts, public defenders, advocacy groups, and various support agencies aimed at helping those affected by the State v. Blake ruling.
In 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court declared that the legal statutes criminalizing drug possession were unconstitutional, citing a violation of due process as they did not require proof of intent or knowledge of possession. This decision opened the door for an estimated 200,000 felony drug possession charges and an additional 150,000 misdemeanor marijuana charges to be vacated. Individuals with qualifying convictions can now apply for record expungement and reimbursement for any related legal financial obligations (LFOs)…