Washington legal term
Crime in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Crime” 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 “Crime” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Crime" means an act punishable as a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor under the laws of this state or equivalent federal or local law. (RCW 7.69.020)
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
- Arson in the first degree
- Assault in the fourth 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
- Burglary in the first degree
- Burglary in the second degree
- Compounding
- Computer trespass in the first degree
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.