Washington legal term
Chokehold in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Chokehold” 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 “Chokehold” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Chokehold" means the intentional application of direct pressure to a person's trachea or windpipe for the purpose of restricting another person's airway. (RCW 10.116.020)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.