Washington criminal charge
Indecent liberties in Washington
Indecent liberties is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9A.44.100. 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.44.100.
What is the penalty for indecent liberties in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Indecent liberties (general) — Applies to all forms of indecent liberties except when committed by forcible compulsion.; statutory maximum (RCW 9A.20.021(1)(b)); 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 $20,000 (Indecent liberties (general) — Applies to all forms of indecent liberties except when committed by forcible compulsion.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5)); unless a different maximum is specifically established by statute) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | Indecent liberties by forcible compulsion — Applies when the indecent liberties offense is committed by forcible compulsion.; a maximum term of life imprisonment (RCW 9A.20.021(1)(a)); 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 $50,000 (Indecent liberties by forcible compulsion — Applies when the indecent liberties offense is committed by forcible compulsion.; 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 crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984.
How is indecent liberties classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indecent liberties (general) | Class B Felony | Applies to all forms of indecent liberties except when committed by forcible compulsion. | RCW 9A.44.100(2)(a) |
| Indecent liberties by forcible compulsion | Class A Felony | Applies when the indecent liberties offense is committed by forcible compulsion. | RCW 9A.44.100(2)(b) |
Common questions about indecent liberties in Washington
Is indecent liberties a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: indecent liberties ranges from a Class B Felony to a Class A Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.44.100.
Indecent liberties (general): Class B Felony (RCW 9A.44.100(2)(a)) · Indecent liberties by forcible compulsion: Class A Felony (RCW 9A.44.100(2)(b))
What are the penalties for indecent liberties in Washington?
Penalties for indecent liberties in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Felony up to a Class A 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 liberties?
Indecent liberties is governed by RCW 9A.44.100 (Indecent liberties).
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.