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Washington legal term

Agency with primary territorial jurisdiction in Washington Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Washington legislative session

In Washington criminal law, “Agency with primary territorial jurisdiction” 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 “Agency with primary territorial jurisdiction” mean in Washington criminal law?

"Agency with primary territorial jurisdiction" means a city or town police agency which has responsibility for police activity within its boundaries; or a county police or sheriff's department which has responsibility with regard to police activity in the unincorporated areas within the county boundaries; or a statutorily authorized port district police agency or four-year state college or university police agency which has responsibility for police activity within the statutorily authorized enforcement boundaries of the port district, state college, or university. (RCW 10.93.020)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.