The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Columbia County Prosecutor looks for options to mitigate ruling's impact on county.

DAYTON—On Feb. 25, the Washington State Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional a law that makes it a felony to possess illegal drugs, even if a person didn’t know they were in possession. The court’s ruling said the state law was unconstitutional because it criminalized passive, unknowing conduct in violation of due process protections.

Columbia County Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack said the Supreme Court warned the legislature that Washington’s strict liability drug possession statute, RCW 69.50.4013,...