Washington criminal charge
Penalties in Washington
Penalties is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9.41.115. 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 9.41.115.
What is the penalty for penalties in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Knowing violation of RCW 9.41.113 (first offense) — Applies when a person knowingly violates RCW 9.41.113 without a prior finding of guilt under this section.; 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 (Knowing violation of RCW 9.41.113 (first offense) — Applies when a person knowingly violates RCW 9.41.113 without a prior finding of guilt under this section.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Subsequent knowing violation of RCW 9.41.113 — Applies when a person has previously been found guilty under this section and knowingly violates RCW 9.41.113 again.; 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 (Subsequent knowing violation of RCW 9.41.113 — Applies when a person has previously been found guilty under this section and knowingly violates RCW 9.41.113 again.; 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 penalties classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knowing violation of RCW 9.41.113 (first offense) | Gross Misdemeanor | Applies when a person knowingly violates RCW 9.41.113 without a prior finding of guilt under this section. | RCW 9.41.115undefined |
| Subsequent knowing violation of RCW 9.41.113 | Class C Felony | Applies when a person has previously been found guilty under this section and knowingly violates RCW 9.41.113 again. | RCW 9.41.115undefined |
Common questions about penalties in Washington
Is penalties a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
What are the penalties for penalties in Washington?
Penalties for penalties in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a Gross 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 penalties?
Penalties is governed by RCW 9.41.115 (Penalties—Violations of RCW 9.41.113).
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.