Washington criminal charge
Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service in Washington
Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9.26A.110. 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 9.26A.110.
What is the penalty for fraud in obtaining telecommunications service in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 90 days (Fraudulent obtaining of telecommunications service (base offense) — A person obtains telephone, telegraph, or telecommunications service through false identity, unauthorized use of another's name/number, tampering with equipment, computer trespass, or other fraudulent device.; 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 (Fraudulent obtaining of telecommunications service (base offense) — A person obtains telephone, telegraph, or telecommunications service through false identity, unauthorized use of another's name/number, tampering with equipment, computer trespass, or other fraudulent device.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $50 in 90 days) — The aggregate value of telecommunications service obtained in violation of this section during a ninety-day period exceeds fifty dollars.; 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 (Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $50 in 90 days) — The aggregate value of telecommunications service obtained in violation of this section during a ninety-day period exceeds fifty dollars.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $250 in 90 days) — The aggregate value of telecommunications service obtained in violation of this section during a ninety-day period exceeds two hundred fifty dollars.; 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 (Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $250 in 90 days) — The aggregate value of telecommunications service obtained in violation of this section during a ninety-day period exceeds two hundred fifty dollars.; 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 fraud in obtaining telecommunications service classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fraudulent obtaining of telecommunications service (base offense) | Misdemeanor | A person obtains telephone, telegraph, or telecommunications service through false identity, unauthorized use of another's name/number, tampering with equipment, computer trespass, or other fraudulent device. | RCW 9.26A.110(1) |
| Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $50 in 90 days) | Gross Misdemeanor | The aggregate value of telecommunications service obtained in violation of this section during a ninety-day period exceeds fifty dollars. | RCW 9.26A.110(2) |
| Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $250 in 90 days) | Class C Felony | The aggregate value of telecommunications service obtained in violation of this section during a ninety-day period exceeds two hundred fifty dollars. | RCW 9.26A.110(3) |
Common questions about fraud in obtaining telecommunications service in Washington
Is fraud in obtaining telecommunications service a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: fraud in obtaining telecommunications service ranges from a Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9.26A.110.
Fraudulent obtaining of telecommunications service (base offense): Misdemeanor (RCW 9.26A.110(1)) · Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $50 in 90 days): Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.26A.110(2)) · Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service (value exceeds $250 in 90 days): Class C Felony (RCW 9.26A.110(3))
What are the penalties for fraud in obtaining telecommunications service in Washington?
Penalties for fraud in obtaining telecommunications service 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 fraud in obtaining telecommunications service?
Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service is governed by RCW 9.26A.110 (Fraud in obtaining telecommunications service—Penalty).
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.