Blake Relief Day for unconstitutional drug possession convictions is July 18
People with Washington state Blake-related drug possession convictions can apply for financial and record-clearing relief at the first Blake Drug Possession Relief Day on July 18 at the Chelan County Courthouse.
A collaboration of judicial organizations, local courts, prosecutors and judges will be available from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on July 18 at the Chelan County Courthouse, 350 Orondo Ave., fourth floor, in Wenatchee, to help members of the public determine if their former drug possession convictions qualify for relief under the State v. Blake Washington Supreme Court ruling. If someone has qualifying convictions, the legal aid groups present will manage the vacate-and-refund process on their behalf to create a timely, efficient, direct path to constitutional relief.
Members of the public who think they have a misdemeanor, Blake-eligible conviction are invited to register at https://BlakeReliefDayChelan.eventbrite.com to attend the free event. Registering in advance allows the groups to find qualifying cases in anticipation of the event and helps to expedite relief efforts on the event day. For people unable to attend in person, the site provides comprehensive resources and helplines and lists area-specific legal aid contacts for those with convictions in counties other than Chelan.
“Here in Chelan County, we wish to do our part to vacate these convictions so those persons affected can move forward,” Chelan County District Court Judge Allen Blackmon said. “It is essential to ensure people are not burdened by convictions that, by law, should never have existed.”
In 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court found that the legal statutes criminalizing drug possession were unconstitutional and void because they did not require intent, or knowledge of possession – a due process violation of both state and federal constitutions. As a result of this decision, known as State v. Blake, any Blake-related convictions qualify to be vacated and removed from one's criminal record, and any legal financial obligations (LFOs) and other related expenses paid as a result qualify for financial reimbursement.
The Legislature then earmarked $47 million for legal aid efforts, including possession charge vacations and sentencing adjustments. The State v Blake ruling impacts more than 200,000 felony drug possession charges that date back to 1971. An estimated additional 150,000 misdemeanor marijuana charges are vacate-eligible.
Since the 2021 ruling, legal aid and outreach efforts have been building. Over half the cases across Washington state eligible for resentencing have been completed.
An additional $51 million was allocated in 2023 for the refund of any qualifying legal financial obligations (fines or fees) and other expenses paid in connection with the conviction via the centralized Blake Refund Bureau, Washington State’s official online Blake-related reimbursement center, launched in July 2023 by the Administrative Office of the Courts. As of August 2024, total refunds paid out by the Bureau reached $3.1 million. On July 1, the Legislature allocated $6 million for more refunds.
“This is an unprecedented effort, with no related instances of a state issuing hundreds of thousands of vacations and refunds at one time,” said Robin Zimmermann, Blake External Relations Liaison for the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts.
To build awareness of the relief now available to qualifying state residents and streamline the process for individuals, the Blake Drug Possession Relief Day offers help to people in specific regions across Washington state, including Chelan County. The local effort will provide assistance to those with past drug possession convictions in Chelan County. With a non-unified court system in Washington state, relief must be applied for in the county and local court of a person’s conviction.
Mass assistance days have been shown to reduce recidivism, improve perceptions of the judicial system, and increase quality of life for participants, as evidenced in a 2022 study by University of Washington researchers.
One such assistance event, an LFO Reconsideration Day by Pierce County, eliminated $5.3 million of legal financial obligations, improved perceptions of the criminal legal system for 89.7 percent of participants and reduced stress and anxiety among 84 percent of participants, according to the study. In recognition of the impact of this model, the Washington State Board for Judicial Administration awarded mass assistance day government and non-profit partners the 2022 Innovating Justice Award.
The Blake Drug Possession Relief Day is presented in collaboration with Chelan County District Courts, Counsel for Defense of Chelan County, Chelan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts, Washington State Office of Public Defense, Civil Survival and Living with Conviction.
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) was established by state lawmakers in 1957 to provide support for 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.
Last Updated: 07/07/2025 12:41 PM
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Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.