Washington criminal charge
Counterfeiting in Washington
Counterfeiting is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9.16.035. 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 9.16.035.
What is the penalty for counterfeiting in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 90 days (Base counterfeiting offense — Counterfeiting is a misdemeanor unless it falls under the gross misdemeanor or felony provisions in subsections (2), (3), or (4).; statutory maximum, county jail (RCW 9A.20.021(3)); offenses outside Title 9A carry the same default under RCW 9.92.030 unless the offense fixes its own penalty) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Base counterfeiting offense — Counterfeiting is a misdemeanor unless it falls under the gross misdemeanor or felony provisions in subsections (2), (3), or (4).; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Counterfeiting — health or safety endangerment — The violation involves manufacture, production, or distribution of counterfeit-marked items, and the defendant knew or should have known the items endangered health or safety by their intended use.; 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 (Counterfeiting — health or safety endangerment — The violation involves manufacture, production, or distribution of counterfeit-marked items, and the defendant knew or should have known the items endangered health or safety by their intended use.; 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 counterfeiting classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base counterfeiting offense | Misdemeanor | Counterfeiting is a misdemeanor unless it falls under the gross misdemeanor or felony provisions in subsections (2), (3), or (4). | RCW 9.16.035(1) |
| Counterfeiting — health or safety endangerment | Class C Felony | The violation involves manufacture, production, or distribution of counterfeit-marked items, and the defendant knew or should have known the items endangered health or safety by their intended use. | RCW 9.16.035(4) |
Common questions about counterfeiting in Washington
Is counterfeiting a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
What are the penalties for counterfeiting in Washington?
Penalties for counterfeiting in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a 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 counterfeiting?
Counterfeiting is governed by RCW 9.16.035 (Counterfeiting—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.