Washington criminal charge
Communication with minor for immoral purposes in Washington
Communication with minor for immoral purposes is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9.68A.090. Its classification is not fixed: Washington assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by RCW 9.68A.090.
What is the penalty for communication with minor for immoral purposes in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Communication with a minor for immoral purposes — base offense — A person communicates with a minor, or with someone believed to be a minor, for immoral purposes, and none of the aggravating conditions in subsection (2) apply.; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(2)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.020 unless the offense fixes its own penalty) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Communication with a minor for immoral purposes — base offense — A person communicates with a minor, or with someone believed to be a minor, for immoral purposes, and none of the aggravating conditions in subsection (2) apply.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Communication with a minor for immoral purposes — prior conviction or electronic communication — The person has a prior conviction under this section or a prior felony sexual offense conviction under chapter 9.68A, 9A.44, or 9A.64 RCW or an equivalent offense elsewhere, or the communication with a minor or believed minor (including for purchase/sale of commercial sex acts or sex trafficking) occurs through electronic communication.; statutory maximum (RCW 9A.20.021(1)(c)); the sentence actually imposed is set by the Sentencing Reform Act standard range (RCW 9.94A.510) from the offense's seriousness level and the defendant's offender score) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Communication with a minor for immoral purposes — prior conviction or electronic communication — The person has a prior conviction under this section or a prior felony sexual offense conviction under chapter 9.68A, 9A.44, or 9A.64 RCW or an equivalent offense elsewhere, or the communication with a minor or believed minor (including for purchase/sale of commercial sex acts or sex trafficking) occurs through electronic communication.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5)); unless a different maximum is specifically established by statute) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
Applies to current.
How is communication with minor for immoral purposes classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication with a minor for immoral purposes — base offense | Gross Misdemeanor | A person communicates with a minor, or with someone believed to be a minor, for immoral purposes, and none of the aggravating conditions in subsection (2) apply. | RCW 9.68A.090(1) |
| Communication with a minor for immoral purposes — prior conviction or electronic communication | Class C Felony | The person has a prior conviction under this section or a prior felony sexual offense conviction under chapter 9.68A, 9A.44, or 9A.64 RCW or an equivalent offense elsewhere, or the communication with a minor or believed minor (including for purchase/sale of commercial sex acts or sex trafficking) occurs through electronic communication. | RCW 9.68A.090(2) |
Common questions about communication with minor for immoral purposes in Washington
Is communication with minor for immoral purposes a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: communication with minor for immoral purposes ranges from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9.68A.090.
Communication with a minor for immoral purposes — base offense: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.68A.090(1)) · Communication with a minor for immoral purposes — prior conviction or electronic communication: Class C Felony (RCW 9.68A.090(2))
What are the penalties for communication with minor for immoral purposes in Washington?
Penalties for communication with minor for immoral purposes in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a Gross Misdemeanor up to a Class C Felony — with the ranges set by RCW 9A.20.021; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Washington statute covers communication with minor for immoral purposes?
Communication with minor for immoral purposes is governed by RCW 9.68A.090 (Communication with minor for immoral purposes—Penalties).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.