Last Updated: March 4, 2026. Report error / Make suggestion
What The Law Says
In 2024, Washington State passed House Bill 2303, which gives people under community custody (the supervision period after prison, similar to parole) the right to ask a court to change their conditions.
To get a change, you must show the court that something in your situation has significantly changed, and because of that, the condition is no longer needed to protect the community.
How to Request a Change
1. Meet the legal standard: “preponderance of the evidence.”
- This means you must show it’s more likely than not (51% or more) that your situation has changed in a meaningful way.
- Examples:
- Completed treatment; Employment or school; Stable housing;
- Consistent compliance; Improved health or behavior;
- No new violations (Note: the court may not base its decision solely on the passage of time without violations—you must show additional positive change)
2. File a written request (“motion”) with the court.
- Your motion must list:
- Which condition(s) you want changed, and
- Why the condition is no longer needed
- You can only make this request once every 12 months.
3. Provide evidence of your progress.
- Include:
- Letters of support; Program certificates; Job/housing verification
- Treatment records; Positive community involvement; Anything showing rehabilitation
4. The judge decides.
- The court reviews each request case-by-case and has full discretion (legal authority) to approve or deny the change.
What Types of Conditions Can Be Changed?
Waivable Mandatory Conditions
- Mandatory unless the judge chooses to waive them:
- Examples
- Reporting to a CCO; Working or doing approved programs; No illegal drugs; DOC approval of residence
Discretionary Conditions
- These are optional and most often modifiable:
- Staying out of certain areas; No contact orders; Treatment or counseling;
- Alcohol restrictions; Other crime-related prohibitions
Mandatory Conditions
- These cannot be removed.
- Examples:
- Must follow DOC rules; Must report treatment when asked; Restrictions related to certain minor-involved offenses
What Conditions Cannot Be Imposed
- Courts and the ISRB may NOT impose conditions that are:
- Vague (unclear or undefined)
- Unconstitutional
- Overbroad (restrict more than necessary)
- Examples of illegal conditions:
- Undefined bans on “romantic relationships”
- Blanket bans on social media
- Wide geographic exclusion zones without a reason
- Overly broad pornography bans
If You Are Supervised by Both DOC and the ISRB
- You will have:
- Court-ordered conditions and
- ISRB conditions
- You must request modifications from both.
- The ISRB cannot contradict the court but can add additional conditions.
More Legal Support Guides
Blake Refund Check and Social Security Benefits
If you are receiving SSDI or Retirement Benefits, programs that require work and tax payments, a Blake refund check will not put your benefits at risk because these are not need-based programs. However, if you receive SSI benefits, they may be affected by receiving a Blake refund check.
LFO Self-Help Guide
This is a legal guide to help individuals prepare their own petition for legal financial obligation (LFO) relief. If you were convicted of a crime in Washington, you may be […]
Modifying Community Custody Conditions
What The Law Says In 2024, Washington State passed House Bill 2303, which gives people under community custody (the supervision period after prison, similar to parole) the right to ask […]
Reducing Legal Financial Obligations
If you were convicted of a crime in Washington, you may be eligible for relief from some or all of the legal financial obligations (LFOs) attached to your case(s). The amount of relief you may be eligible for depends on the type of conviction, the types of LFOs assessed, and your financial resources.
Child Support FAQ
Understand what child support is, how it impacts you, and how to receive support.
Custody, Visitation, and Parental Rights FAQ
Learn about how courts make custody and visitation decisions, how to access your parental rights, and gaining legal support.
Employment Legal FAQ
Incarceration can impact your ability to get a job. Learn how to navigate challenges, find a job, and know your rights.
Excluded Offenses
Below is a list of ineligible offenses in the vacate statutes. Any of these offenses will not be eligible to vacate, but does not prevent you from vacating other charges, […]
Guide to Determining Blake Eligibility
The Washington State Supreme Court’s ruling in the case State v. Blake found that the law criminalizing drug possession, RCW 69.50.4013, was unconstitutional. As a result of this ruling, any prior conviction under this law, and certain other related law, can be removed from your criminal record.
Vacating a Misdemeanor Conviction
Washington law allows for certain misdemeanor convictions to be vacated if specific criteria are met. This means that the conviction will be treated as if it never occurred.