Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

I live in Washington state, where marijuana is now legal. The law changed in December of 2012. In March of 2012, I was cited for possession of marijuana under one ounce. Judgement was made, and I served jail time, and am paying fines. I just received a notice of case setting, and it says it is a restitution hearing. My question is this; if judgement was passed, jail served, and fines set, what could this restitution hearing be for? Is it possible that, because of the law change, they are overturning judgements?


Asked on 3/30/13, 12:44 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Thomas Mackin Law Office of Thomas A. Mackin

It is extremely unlikely that your judgment is being overturned. Did you appeal the judgment? Was there more involved than just possession of marijuana? Restitution hearings are routine when there is a victim of some uncharged crime from the incident or if they are seeking payment for the public defenders fees from you.

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Answered on 3/30/13, 4:07 pm
Stan Glisson Glisson & Morris

Restitution is pretty limited, and is supposed to only be ordered to compensate a crime victim. Can you contact your original lawyer and ask him/her what this was about? Or call the court clerk's office and ask them.

If you were driving a car at the time, many courts order money be paid to the police agency that arrested you, and they sometimes refer to that as restitution.

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Answered on 4/05/13, 9:44 am


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