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Washington State law
State law — Washington
Offences by family
Against the person
Assault (aggravated) Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Assault 3rd degree — RCW 9A.36.031 Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000 (Class C felony)
E.g. assault on a law-enforcement / corrections officer, transit operator, or with intent to prevent lawful process; criminal-negligence injury with a weapon.
Assault 2nd degree — RCW 9A.36.021 Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Includes assault with a deadly weapon, strangulation, torture-level pain, assault with intent to commit a felony.
Assault 1st degree — RCW 9A.36.011 Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–life
- Fine
- $0–$50,000 (Class A felony)
Intent to inflict great bodily harm + deadly weapon / poison / HIV transmission / great bodily harm inflicted.
Assault 2nd degree with a finding of sexual motivation is a Class A felony. Assault of a child (RCW 9A.36.120–140) is a separate, more serious track. Strangulation is assault 2nd degree (RCW 9A.36.021(1)(g)).
Assault (simple) Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text.
Statutory range
Assault 4th degree — base
- Imprisonment
- 0–364 days
- Fine
- $0–$5,000 (gross misdemeanour)
Assault under circumstances not amounting to 1st/2nd/3rd degree.
Assault 4th degree is the usual charge for minor assaults; where a domestic-violence designation applies, additional DV conditions (no-contact, treatment) follow.
Domestic violence Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Assault 4th degree with DV designation — base Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–364 days
- Fine
- $0–$5,000 (gross misdemeanour)
No standalone DV offence; charged as assault 4th degree + DV designation.
Assault 2nd degree (incl. strangulation) with DV designation Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Strangulation is assault 2nd degree, RCW 9A.36.021(1)(g).
A DV designation triggers DV-specific conditions (no-contact orders, DV treatment, firearm surrender under protection-order law) on top of the underlying sentence. Interfering with the reporting of domestic violence (RCW 9A.36.150) is a gross misdemeanour (0–364 days, $0–$5,000). Violation of a protection order (RCW 7.105.450) is a gross misdemeanour, a Class C felony with specified priors/aggravators.
Homicide — manslaughter Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Manslaughter 1st degree — RCW 9A.32.060 Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–life (Sentencing Reform Act range)
- Fine
- $0–$50,000 (Class A felony)
Recklessly causes death; or intentionally and unlawfully kills under a mitigating circumstance.
Manslaughter 2nd degree — RCW 9A.32.070 Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Criminal negligence causing death.
Homicide by abuse (RCW 9A.32.055) is a Class A felony (0–life). Vehicular homicide (RCW 46.61.520) is a Class A felony (0–life). Class mapping for manslaughter degrees rests on secondary summaries — needs official re-check.
Homicide — murder Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text.
Statutory range
Aggravated murder 1st degree — RCW 10.95
- Imprisonment
- Life without parole
- Fine
- No fine stated
Death penalty no longer available.
Murder 1st degree — RCW 9A.32.030, 9A.32.040
- Imprisonment
- Life imprisonment
- Fine
- No fine stated
Premeditated intent, extreme-indifference killing, or felony murder during robbery/rape/burglary/arson/kidnapping.
Murder 2nd degree — RCW 9A.32.050
- Imprisonment
- 0–life (Sentencing Reform Act range)
- Fine
- $0–$50,000 (Class A felony)
Intent without premeditation, or felony murder during another felony.
Aggravated murder in the 1st degree (RCW 10.95): life without parole (Washington's death penalty was held unconstitutional in State v. Gregory (2018) and repealed in 2023). Murder 2nd degree sentences run under the Sentencing Reform Act (RCW 9.94A) with a maximum of life.
Sexual offences
Sexual assault / rape Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Rape 3rd degree — victim expressed lack of consent, or threat of substantial bodily injury / property injury Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000 (Class C felony)
Rape 2nd degree — forcible compulsion without 1st-degree aggravators, or victim incapable of consent Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–life (Sentencing Reform Act range)
- Fine
- $0–$50,000 (Class A felony)
Rape 1st degree — forcible compulsion + deadly weapon / kidnapping / serious injury / felonious entry Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–life (Sentencing Reform Act range)
- Fine
- $0–$50,000 (Class A felony)
Rape 1st/2nd degree are Class A felonies with indeterminate sentences under the Sentencing Reform Act; the standard range for a first-time offender is far below life. Rape of a child 1st degree (RCW 9A.44.073) is a Class A felony with a 25-year mandatory minimum reported in secondary sources (not verified).
Property
Burglary Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text.
Statutory range
Burglary 1st degree — armed with a deadly weapon, or assaults any person
- Imprisonment
- 0–life
- Fine
- $0–$50,000 (Class A felony)
Residential burglary — dwelling, no aggravator
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Burglary 2nd degree — building other than a vehicle or dwelling
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Washington has a separate offence of residential burglary (RCW 9A.52.025, Class B felony) — burglary of a dwelling without the deadly-weapon/assault aggravator.
Robbery Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text.
Statutory range
Robbery 1st degree — armed with a deadly weapon, displays what appears to be a firearm/deadly weapon, inflicts bodily injury, or robbery of a financial institution
- Imprisonment
- 0–life
- Fine
- $0–$50,000 (Class A felony)
Robbery 2nd degree — all other robbery
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Robbery 1st degree is a most-serious ('strike') offence. Robbery of a pharmacy adds 12 months to the standard range.
Theft Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Theft 3rd degree — value under $750 Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–364 days
- Fine
- $0–$5,000 (gross misdemeanour)
Theft 2nd degree — value $750 to under $5,000, or public records / access device Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000 (Class C felony)
Theft 1st degree — value $5,000+, or taken from the person, or search-and-rescue dog/equipment Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Theft of a firearm (RCW 9A.56.300) is a Class B felony; theft of a motor vehicle (RCW 9A.56.065) is a Class B felony; theft of livestock has separate tiers. Possession of stolen property is graded separately (RCW 9A.56.150–170).
Vandalism / criminal damage Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text.
Statutory range
Malicious mischief 3rd degree — damage $750 or less, or graffiti/inscription
- Imprisonment
- 0–364 days
- Fine
- $0–$5,000 (gross misdemeanour)
Malicious mischief 2nd degree — damage over $750, or substantial risk of interruption of public service
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000 (Class C felony)
Malicious mischief 1st degree — damage over $5,000, or interruption of public service, or aircraft impairment, or ballot-box tampering
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Malicious mischief 3rd degree becomes a Class C felony where the person is armed with a deadly weapon and uses it to cause damage. Aggregated damage from a common scheme may be charged together (RCW 9A.48.100).
Fraud & financial
Fraud Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Theft by deception — value under $750 Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–364 days
- Fine
- $0–$5,000 (gross misdemeanour)
Theft by deception — value $750 to under $5,000 Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000 (Class C felony)
Theft by deception — value $5,000+ Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Identity theft 1st degree — RCW 9.35.020(2) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Identity theft 2nd degree / forgery — RCW 9.35.020(3), 9A.60.020 Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000 (Class C felony)
Identity theft 1st degree (RCW 9.35.020(2)): Class B felony; identity theft 2nd degree: Class C felony. Forgery (RCW 9A.60.020): Class C felony.
Drugs
Drug possession Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text.
Statutory range
Possession / public use — base
- Imprisonment
- 0–180 days jail
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
Gross misdemeanour; diversion to assessment/treatment encouraged.
Possession / public use — 2+ prior convictions after 1 July 2023
- Imprisonment
- 0–364 days jail
- Fine
- $0–$1,000
RCW 69.50.4013 (SB 5536, 2023): possession/use is a gross misdemeanour with capped jail (180 days; 364 days with 2+ priors after 1 July 2023) and a $1,000 fine cap. Prosecutors are encouraged to divert to assessment/treatment. Possession of 40 g or less of marijuana is a separate misdemeanour under RCW 69.50.4014.
Drug trafficking / sale Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
Schedule I/II narcotic or flunitrazepam — Class B felony Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$25,000 (under 2 kg); $0–$100,000 for first 2 kg + $50 per gram over 2 kg (2 kg+)
Amphetamine / methamphetamine — Class B felony Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$25,000 (under 2 kg); $0–$100,000 for first 2 kg + $50 per gram over 2 kg (2 kg+)
$3,000 of the fine may not be suspended; first $3,000 goes to lab clean-up.
Other Schedule I, II, III substances — Class C felony Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000
Per secondary summary of RCW 69.50.401(2)(c); needs official re-check.
RCW 69.50.408 doubles the imprisonment and/or fine for a second or subsequent offence. RCW 69.50.410 (sale for profit of Schedule I) is a separate offence — Class C felony, fine up to $50,000. Only the (2)(a)–(b) tiers were read directly; (2)(c) rests on a secondary summary.
Weapons
Weapons offences Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text.
Statutory range
Unlawful possession of a firearm 1st degree — prior serious offence
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
Unlawful possession of a firearm 2nd degree — prior felony (non-serious) or specified family/household misdemeanour
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000 (Class C felony)
Each firearm counts as a separate offence. RCW 9.41.040 also covers possession after certain family/household-member misdemeanours (assault 4, coercion, stalking, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass 1, protection-order violation) in the 2nd-degree tier.
Traffic & transport
DUI / drink driving Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
1st offence in 7 years (gross misdemeanour) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 1 day–364 days
- Fine
- $0–$5,000 (gross misdemeanour)
Higher minimums where BAC 0.15+ or THC 5.00+ (2 days jail minimum reported).
2 priors within 7 years (gross misdemeanour) Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–364 days (minimum not verified)
- Fine
- $1,500–$5,000 (reported for 2-prior tier)
Fine figure read from RCW 46.61.5055 text; jail minimum not verified.
Felony DUI — 3+ priors within 15 years, or prior vehicular homicide/assault while DUI, or prior felony DUI Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0–10 years (Sentencing Reform Act range)
- Fine
- $0–$20,000 (Class B felony)
RCW 46.61.5055 sets a graduated table by priors (within 7 and 15 years) and BAC (under/over 0.15). The 1st-offence fine minimum and 2nd-offence jail minimum were not fully verified from official text — ranges below are conservative. Felony DUI: 3+ priors within 15 years, or a prior vehicular-homicide/vehicular-assault-while-DUI conviction, or a prior felony DUI.
Cyber & digital
Cybercrime / hacking Verified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text.
Statutory range
Computer trespass 2nd degree — unauthorised access, no 1st-degree aggravator
- Imprisonment
- 0–364 days
- Fine
- $0–$5,000 (gross misdemeanour)
Computer trespass 1st degree — access with intent to commit another crime, or government computer/database
- Imprisonment
- 0–5 years
- Fine
- $0–$10,000 (Class C felony)
Chapter 9A.90 also covers electronic data service interference (1st degree Class C felony; 2nd degree gross misdemeanour), spoofing (gross misdemeanour), electronic data tampering (1st degree Class C felony; 2nd degree gross misdemeanour), electronic data theft (Class C felony) and cyber harassment (gross misdemeanour / Class C felony). Only the trespass tiers were read directly.