FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gary Ireland, Public Information Officer, (206) 684-8710
“I support the Mayor and City Attorney’s intent to help individuals vacate a misdemeanor marijuana possession conviction and recognize the barriers such convictions create. Seattle Municipal Court judges are obligated to apply Washington State law, RCW 9.96.060, that provides the legal basis and authority for vacating a misdemeanor record. Judges must evaluate each individual request in accordance with these statutory requirements. Until we receive the City’s motion, we do not know how many individuals will be eligible to have their misdemeanor marijuana possession conviction vacated.” Karen Donohue, Presiding Judge, Seattle Municipal Court
The Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) provides a forum to resolve alleged violations of the law in a respectful, independent and impartial manner. SMC processes more cases than any other municipal court in the State of Washington with seven elected Judges and five appointed Magistrates. The Court adjudicates misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes, infractions, and civil violations authorized under the Seattle Municipal Code and certain Revised Code of Washington statutes.