Washington legal term
Abduct in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Abduct” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Washington criminal code.
What does “Abduct” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Abduct" means to restrain a person by either (a) secreting or holding him or her in a place where he or she is not likely to be found, or (b) using or threatening to use deadly force. (RCW 9A.40.010)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.