Washington criminal charge
Disclosing intimate images in Washington
Disclosing intimate images is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9A.86.010. 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 9A.86.010.
What is the penalty for disclosing intimate images in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Disclosing intimate images - first offense — Applies when the offense is the defendant's first violation of this section.; 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 (Disclosing intimate images - first offense — Applies when the offense is the defendant's first violation of this section.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Disclosing intimate images - repeat offense — Applies when the defendant has one or more prior convictions for a violation of this section or RCW 9A.86.030.; 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 (Disclosing intimate images - repeat offense — Applies when the defendant has one or more prior convictions for a violation of this section or RCW 9A.86.030.; 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 disclosing intimate images classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disclosing intimate images - first offense | Gross Misdemeanor | Applies when the offense is the defendant's first violation of this section. | RCW 9A.86.010(7)(a) |
| Disclosing intimate images - repeat offense | Class C Felony | Applies when the defendant has one or more prior convictions for a violation of this section or RCW 9A.86.030. | RCW 9A.86.010(7)(b) |
Common questions about disclosing intimate images in Washington
Is disclosing intimate images a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: disclosing intimate images ranges from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.86.010.
Disclosing intimate images - first offense: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9A.86.010(7)(a)) · Disclosing intimate images - repeat offense: Class C Felony (RCW 9A.86.010(7)(b))
What are the penalties for disclosing intimate images in Washington?
Penalties for disclosing intimate images 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 disclosing intimate images?
Disclosing intimate images is governed by RCW 9A.86.010 (Disclosing intimate images).
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.