Washington Supreme Court

State v. Varga

March 18, 200486 P.3d 139

Summary

The court held that the 2002 amendments to Washington's Sentencing Reform Act unambiguously require sentencing courts to include previously "washed out" convictions in criminal histories and offender scores for offenses committed on or after June 13, 2002. The amendments operate prospectively, do not impair a vested right or violate separation of powers, and validly supersede contrary interpretations of earlier statutory language. The court affirmed the sentences of eight defendants, reversed Dennis's sentence, and rejected Foy's additional claims regarding counsel, continuance, and evidentiary sufficiency.