Washington criminal charge
Voyeurism in Washington
Voyeurism is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9A.44.115. 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 9A.44.115.
What is the penalty for voyeurism in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Voyeurism in the first degree — Knowingly viewing, photographing, or filming another person without consent while that person is in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, or viewing/photographing/filming their intimate areas without consent under circumstances of reasonable expectation of privacy, for sexual gratification purposes.; 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 (Voyeurism in the first degree — Knowingly viewing, photographing, or filming another person without consent while that person is in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, or viewing/photographing/filming their intimate areas without consent under circumstances of reasonable expectation of privacy, for sexual gratification purposes.; 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 (Voyeurism in the second degree — Intentionally photographing or filming another person's intimate areas with intent to distribute or disseminate, without that person's knowledge and consent, under circumstances of reasonable expectation of privacy.; 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 (Voyeurism in the second degree — Intentionally photographing or filming another person's intimate areas with intent to distribute or disseminate, without that person's knowledge and consent, under circumstances of reasonable expectation of privacy.; 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 voyeurism classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voyeurism in the first degree | Class C Felony | Knowingly viewing, photographing, or filming another person without consent while that person is in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, or viewing/photographing/filming their intimate areas without consent under circumstances of reasonable expectation of privacy, for sexual gratification purposes. | RCW 9A.44.115(2)(b) |
| Voyeurism in the second degree | Gross Misdemeanor | Intentionally photographing or filming another person's intimate areas with intent to distribute or disseminate, without that person's knowledge and consent, under circumstances of reasonable expectation of privacy. | RCW 9A.44.115(3)(b) |
Common questions about voyeurism in Washington
Is voyeurism a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
What are the penalties for voyeurism in Washington?
Penalties for voyeurism 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 voyeurism?
Voyeurism is governed by RCW 9A.44.115 (Voyeurism).
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.