OLYMPIA, WA – Washington State’s official online reimbursement center for court-ordered fines or costs paid in connection with drug possession convictions, found to be unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court in State v. Blake, launched on Sunday.
Now accessible at www.courts.wa.gov/blakerefund, the Blake Refund Bureau was developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts in collaboration with courts serving all 39 Washington State counties and 112 separate municipalities. Individuals convicted of simple drug possession, cannabis possession, and paraphernalia convictions between 1971 and 2021 can now receive qualifying financial reimbursements via the Bureau’s self-guided, centralized portal.
Asotin County residents can also apply for refunds HERE.
Mike McClanahan with TVW.org’s “The Impact” explains how the Blake case came about.
He adds that everyone previously convicted under the statute can ask that their conviction be thrown out and request a refund of court-imposed fines and fees that they paid. This impacts cases going all the way back to 1971.
In addition, people who are incarcerated for drug possession or other charges may be eligible for resentencing.
A total of $47 million was earmarked towards possession charge vacations and sentencing adjustments, and an additional $51 million was set aside for paid legal financial obligations refunds.
This work is unprecedented, with no related instances of a state issuing hundreds of thousands of vacations and refunds at one time. The State v Blake ruling impacts an estimated 200,000+ felony drug possession charges dating back to the 1970s and an estimated additional 125,000 misdemeanor marijuana charges eligible for vacation.
Individuals can apply online via the Blake Refund Bureau portal or via mail. Applicants must have their name, case number, and proof of ID with a picture prior to applying. Additionally, optional fields are available to upload further identifying information including proof of name change, divorce decree, international address, and power of attorney if filing for someone else.
Refund progress tracking, a help forum, and a how-to video will be available to help guide users through the online application process. To help individuals understand their rights, vacate their records, and learn about qualifying LFO and 3rd party reimbursements, the Blake Refund Bureau offers resources and a free Blake hotline courtesy of the Washington State Office of Public Defense.
The Administrative Office of the Courts was established by state lawmakers in 1957 to support Washington’s non-unified courts through a wide range of services to promote the efficient administration of justice. AOC operates under the direction of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and management from the State Court Administrator.
