Washington criminal charge
Distribution to persons under age eighteen in Washington
Distribution to persons under age eighteen is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 69.50.406. 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 69.50.406.
How is distribution to persons under age eighteen classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distribution of narcotic/methamphetamine/flunitrazepam to a minor | Class A Felony | A person eighteen or over distributes a Schedule I or II narcotic drug, methamphetamine (including salts/isomers), or flunitrazepam (Schedule IV, including salts/isomers) to a person under eighteen years of age. | RCW 69.50.406(1) |
| Distribution of other scheduled controlled substance to a younger minor | Class B Felony | A person eighteen or over distributes any other controlled substance listed in Schedules I-V to a person under eighteen who is at least three years their junior, except as provided in RCW 69.50.475. | RCW 69.50.406(2) |
Common questions about distribution to persons under age eighteen in Washington
Is distribution to persons under age eighteen a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: distribution to persons under age eighteen ranges from a Class B Felony to a Class A Felony in Washington under RCW 69.50.406.
Distribution of narcotic/methamphetamine/flunitrazepam to a minor: Class A Felony (RCW 69.50.406(1)) · Distribution of other scheduled controlled substance to a younger minor: Class B Felony (RCW 69.50.406(2))
Which Washington statute covers distribution to persons under age eighteen?
Distribution to persons under age eighteen is governed by RCW 69.50.406 (Distribution to persons under age eighteen).
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.