Washington criminal charge
Unlawful issuance of checks or drafts in Washington
Unlawful issuance of checks or drafts is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9A.56.060. 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.56.060.
What is the penalty for unlawful issuance of checks or drafts in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Unlawful issuance of a bank check (over $750) — Applies when the amount of the check or draft unlawfully issued is greater than seven hundred fifty dollars.; 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 (Unlawful issuance of a bank check (over $750) — Applies when the amount of the check or draft unlawfully issued is greater than seven hundred fifty dollars.; 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 (Unlawful issuance of a bank check ($750 or less) — Applies when the amount of the check or draft unlawfully issued is seven hundred fifty dollars or less.; 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 (Unlawful issuance of a bank check ($750 or less) — Applies when the amount of the check or draft unlawfully issued is seven hundred fifty dollars or less.; 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 unlawful issuance of checks or drafts classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlawful issuance of a bank check (over $750) | Class C Felony | Applies when the amount of the check or draft unlawfully issued is greater than seven hundred fifty dollars. | RCW 9A.56.060(4) |
| Unlawful issuance of a bank check ($750 or less) | Gross Misdemeanor | Applies when the amount of the check or draft unlawfully issued is seven hundred fifty dollars or less. | RCW 9A.56.060(5) |
Common questions about unlawful issuance of checks or drafts in Washington
Is unlawful issuance of checks or drafts a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful issuance of checks or drafts ranges from a Gross Misdemeanor to a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.56.060.
Unlawful issuance of a bank check (over $750): Class C Felony (RCW 9A.56.060(4)) · Unlawful issuance of a bank check ($750 or less): Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9A.56.060(5))
What are the penalties for unlawful issuance of checks or drafts in Washington?
Penalties for unlawful issuance of checks or drafts 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 unlawful issuance of checks or drafts?
Unlawful issuance of checks or drafts is governed by RCW 9A.56.060 (Unlawful issuance of checks or drafts).
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.