Seattle throws out pot convictions:
Judges in Seattle have decided to quash convictions for marijuana possession for anyone prosecuted in the city between 1996 and 2010. City Attorney Pete Holmes asked the court to take the step "to right the injustices of a drug war that has primarily targeted people of colour."
Possession of marijuana became legal in the state of Washington in 2012.
Officials estimate that more than 542 people could have their convictions dismissed by mid-November.
Mr Holmes said the city should "take a moment to recognise the significance" of the court's ruling. "We've come a long way, and I hope this action inspires other jurisdictions to follow suit," he said. Mayor Jenny Durkan also welcomed the ruling, which she said would offer residents a "clean slate."
Order (PDF).
See also: Vacating misdemeanor marijuana convictions is the right thing to do (Editorial)
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 29 2018, @05:55AM (4 children)
And none of these people knew that it was illegal?
Fuck this racist shit. People of color are people and they can choose not to break the law. Regardless of intent that at most explains a couple years of convictions not subject to this fix.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 29 2018, @07:04AM
And why do you worship the law and the government? Don't you want a small government that stays out of people's lives? Aren't you opposed to corruption? If you're opposed to corruption and in favor of small government, how is it that you can adopt the 'You should never break the law!' mentality? After all, many laws are unjust and created by our highly corrupt government.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Saturday September 29 2018, @08:59AM
If it wasn't a law, then people wouldn't be able to break it.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 29 2018, @05:20PM
So in the case of an unjust law, you find problem with those who broke the unjust law, not those who created and enforced the unjust law? Does your mom know what a despicable human she raised? If not, the seventh fleet should tell her then next time they're in port.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday September 30 2018, @04:26PM
Except white people usually got let off with confiscation, a wagging finger, and a stern warning along the lines of "If I see you again tonight, I'm gonna have to do paperwork. Got it?"