Opinion ID: 2516524
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: retroactivity and state law

Text: ¶ 17 Next, petitioners argue for retroactive application of Blakely based on state law. RCW 10.73.100(6) allows collateral relief from judgment even after the normal time bar has lapsed based on a material change in the law when the court or the legislature finds sufficient reasons for retroactive application. [5] The statutory language has been interpreted along the lines of Teague. See generally Markel, 154 Wash.2d at 268, 111 P.3d 249. There may be a case where our state statute would authorize or require retroactive application of a new rule of law when Teague would not. Cf. In re Pers. Restraint of Vandervlugt, 120 Wash.2d 427, 432-33, 842 P.2d 950 (1992) (vacating exceptional sentence based on invalid sentencing factor); In re Pers. Restraint of Smith, 117 Wash.App. 846, 860-70, 73 P.3d 386 (2003). As Chief Justice Rehnquist sagely noted, Teague was grounded in important considerations of federal-state relations. Collins v. Youngblood, 497 U.S. 37, 41, 110 S.Ct. 2715, 111 L.Ed.2d 30 (1990). Limiting a state statute on the basis of the federal court's caution in interfering with State's self-governance would be, at least, peculiar. However, petitioners do not make a compelling case that there are reasons for retroactive application that are sufficient under state law.