Civil Legal Aid Services

Washington State offers self-help online court forms and instructions for individuals seeking to vacate a felony drug possession conviction or related charges in a Washington State Superior Court, as well as request a refund of legal financial obligation (LFO) payments. By answering questions, these forms will generate a completed motion, order, notice, and proof of service forms. The Department of Commerce should provide funding to the Office of Civil Legal Aid to support outreach and education to support the vacating of criminal records.

OCLA has a proposal to develop an automatic criminal record sealing software to expunge criminal records and remit legal financial obligations (LFOs). The project involves creating a tool that automates the vacature and LFO remission processes and is accessible in all 37 counties, with a budget of $2 million over two years. Additionally, an 18-month pilot program will be carried out in King and Pierce counties, partnering with impacted communities to provide outreach, self-help tools, legal navigators, and lawyers to scale criminal record and LFO relief for communities affected by the war on drugs.