The Washington Supreme Court Case Giving 500,000+ a New Chance at Freedom w/Grace O'Connor, Nat Jacob, and Kimonti Carter

Feb 6

In 2021, the Washington Supreme handed down one of the most important rulings in the history of the state. For decades, people in Washington were convicted under the state’s felony drug possession law without any requirement they had knowledge of the drugs they possessed. The court struck down this strict liability law and opened the door for hundreds of thousands of people to be released, resentenced, or have their case vacated. Today, Hunter spoke with Grace O’Connor, Nat Jacob, and Kimonti Carter, the team at the Washington Office of Public Defense, who work on helping people navigate their options in the wake of Blake v State.

Guests:

Grace O’Connor, Former Blake Managing Defense Attorney, Washington Office of Public Defense

Nat Jacob, Blake Triage Attorney, Washington Office of Public Defense

Kimonti Carter, Blake Community Outreach Specialist, Washington Office of Public Defense

Resources:

Blake v State

https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/968730.pdf

Contact the Blake Team

Call 800-414-6064 (ext 218)

Email blake@opd.wa.gov

How to Vacate Conviction

https://opd.wa.gov/find-legal-help-and-information/vacate-drug-possession-convictions-state-v-blake