Washington legal term
Child in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Child” 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 “Child” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Child" means a person under eighteen years of age. (RCW 9A.42.010)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Abandonment of a dependent person in the first degree
- Abandonment of a dependent person in the second degree
- Abandonment of a dependent person in the third degree
- Amber alert
- Assault in the first degree
- Assault in the fourth degree
- Assault in the second degree
- Assault of a child in the first degree
- Assault of a child in the second degree
- Assault of a child in the third degree
- Child molestation in the first degree
- Child molestation in the second degree
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.