Some correcting is in order as residents of Washington who have previously been convicted of drug offenses will be receiving a form of financial assistance. It will be easier to recover the fees and fines they paid in accordance with the state’s now-repealed drug statute. Refunds are due after a court decision declared the state’s felony drug possession legislation unconstitutional.
Now, individuals will be able to check online whether they are eligible to receive money back for court costs and penalties linked to their prior drug possession convictions in the State of Washington. The new statewide site will establish a central location where people can submit online applications for reimbursement. Because of the state Supreme Court’s 2021 Blake decision, 260,000 prior felony drug convictions may be invalidated, or erased from people’s criminal records.
Residents may be entitled to compensation for any fines or other costs. The new portal permits people a request to have any fines they paid for at least 126,000 misdemeanor marijuana offenses. Washington voters legalized the drug for adult recreational use in 2012. If people paid even $1 — or less than $1 — they are entitled to have that refunded back to them.
Officials say that the reimbursements are a part of an effort to start treating drug use more as a public health issue than a criminal matter. Drug policy activist say that the criminal response has too often been worse than the drugs. Still, people must have their convictions legally overturned by the court before submitting an application for a Blake-related reimbursement. Officials advise consumers to call a state hotline at 360-586-3164, extension 218, for assistance.
In addition, a paper check will be mailed to recipients as part of the initial payout of cash using the old traditional way.
Utilizing the online reimbursement portal, applicants must provide identification documents such a driver’s license, passport, or evidence of a name change to prove their identity. Clients may not receive their money for up to 90 days, according to state officials’ estimates.
