Washington criminal charge
Indecent exposure in Washington
Indecent exposure is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9A.88.010. 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.88.010.
What is the penalty for indecent exposure in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 90 days (Indecent exposure - base offense — Applies to indecent exposure generally, except as otherwise provided in (b) and (c).; 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 (Indecent exposure - base offense — Applies to indecent exposure generally, except as otherwise provided in (b) and (c).; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Indecent exposure - exposure to person under 14 — Applies on a first offense when the person exposes himself or herself to a person under the age of fourteen years.; 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 (Indecent exposure - exposure to person under 14 — Applies on a first offense when the person exposes himself or herself to a person under the age of fourteen years.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Indecent exposure - prior conviction — Applies when the person has previously been convicted under this section or of a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.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 (Indecent exposure - prior conviction — Applies when the person has previously been convicted under this section or of a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.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 indecent exposure classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indecent exposure - base offense | Misdemeanor | Applies to indecent exposure generally, except as otherwise provided in (b) and (c). | RCW 9A.88.010(2)(a) |
| Indecent exposure - exposure to person under 14 | Gross Misdemeanor | Applies on a first offense when the person exposes himself or herself to a person under the age of fourteen years. | RCW 9A.88.010(2)(b) |
| Indecent exposure - prior conviction | Class C Felony | Applies when the person has previously been convicted under this section or of a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030. | RCW 9A.88.010(2)(c) |
Common questions about indecent exposure in Washington
Is indecent exposure a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: indecent exposure ranges from a Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.88.010.
Indecent exposure - base offense: Misdemeanor (RCW 9A.88.010(2)(a)) · Indecent exposure - exposure to person under 14: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9A.88.010(2)(b)) · Indecent exposure - prior conviction: Class C Felony (RCW 9A.88.010(2)(c))
What are the penalties for indecent exposure in Washington?
Penalties for indecent exposure 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 indecent exposure?
Indecent exposure is governed by RCW 9A.88.010 (Indecent exposure).
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.