Washington criminal charge
Leaving a child in the care of a sex offender in Washington
Leaving a child in the care of a sex offender is a Misdemeanor under Washington criminal law, defined by RCW 9A.42.110. As a Misdemeanor, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Washington sets for that offense class. Washington sorts criminal offenses into class A, B, and C felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors — a gross misdemeanor is a distinct, more serious rung than a misdemeanor — with maximum penalties set by RCW 9A.20.021.
Defined by RCW 9A.42.110.
What is the penalty for leaving a child in the care of a sex offender in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 90 days (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 (statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
Applies to current.
Common questions about leaving a child in the care of a sex offender in Washington
Is leaving a child in the care of a sex offender a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
What are the penalties for leaving a child in the care of a sex offender in Washington?
As a Misdemeanor, leaving a child in the care of a sex offender carries up to 90 days (no mandatory minimum) of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000 (no mandatory minimum) under RCW 9A.20.021 (current).
Which Washington statute covers leaving a child in the care of a sex offender?
Leaving a child in the care of a sex offender is governed by RCW 9A.42.110 (Leaving a child in the care of a sex offender).
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.