Washington criminal charge
Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree in Washington
Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9A.76.070. 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.76.070.
What is the penalty for rendering criminal assistance in the first degree in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree — standard — Applies to rendering criminal assistance in the first degree except when the actor qualifies as a young relative under (2)(b).; 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 (Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree — standard — Applies to rendering criminal assistance in the first degree except when the actor qualifies as a young relative under (2)(b).; 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 | up to 364 days (Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree — young relative exception — Applies when it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that the actor is a relative as defined in RCW 9A.76.060 and was under the age of eighteen at the time of the offense.; 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 (Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree — young relative exception — Applies when it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that the actor is a relative as defined in RCW 9A.76.060 and was under the age of eighteen at the time of the offense.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5))) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
Applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984.
How is rendering criminal assistance in the first degree classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree — standard | Class B Felony | Applies to rendering criminal assistance in the first degree except when the actor qualifies as a young relative under (2)(b). | RCW 9A.76.070(2)(a) |
| Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree — young relative exception | Gross Misdemeanor | Applies when it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that the actor is a relative as defined in RCW 9A.76.060 and was under the age of eighteen at the time of the offense. | RCW 9A.76.070(2)(b) |
Common questions about rendering criminal assistance in the first degree in Washington
Is rendering criminal assistance in the first degree a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: rendering criminal assistance in the first degree ranges from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Class B Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.76.070.
Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree — standard: Class B Felony (RCW 9A.76.070(2)(a)) · Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree — young relative exception: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9A.76.070(2)(b))
What are the penalties for rendering criminal assistance in the first degree in Washington?
Penalties for rendering criminal assistance in the first degree in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a Gross Misdemeanor up to a Class B 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 rendering criminal assistance in the first degree?
Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree is governed by RCW 9A.76.070 (Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree).
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.