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State program returns millions after State v. Blake ruling
Summary
A centralized refund program in Washington has returned more than $5.2 million to nearly 5,000 cases after the Washington State Supreme Court ruled the 1971 drug-possession law unconstitutional; program leaders say average refunds are about $800 and the largest payout has approached $19,000.
The Washington State Supreme Courtruled in February 2021 that the statelaw dating from 1971 used to criminalize simple possession of certain controlled substances was unconstitutional, and a centralized refund program has returned more than $5.2 million to nearly 5,000 cases, a presenter said.
Staff member, a government staff member, said the refunds respond to legal financial obligations (LFOs) that were assessed to people convicted under the statute the court invalidated. "The refund bureau has refunded over 5,200,000 to almost 5,000 cases. The largest payout that we've provided was almost $19,000," the staff member said. The presenter added the average refund is about $800 and that people received lump-sum payments.
The refunds follow the Washington State Supreme Courtdecision in State v. Blake, which the presenter described as overturning a rule that made individuals automatically guilty for mere possession even when possession was inadvertent. "The…
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