Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Washington legal term

Custodial interrogation in Washington Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Washington legislative session

In Washington criminal law, “Custodial interrogation” 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 “Custodial interrogation” mean in Washington criminal law?

"Custodial interrogation" means express questioning or other actions or words by a law enforcement officer which are reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from an individual and occurs when reasonable individuals in the same circumstances would consider themselves in custody; (11) "Department" means the department of children, youth, and families; (12) "Detention facility" means a county facility, paid for by the county, for the physical confinement of a juvenile alleged to have committed an offense or an adjudicated offender subject to a disposition or modification order. (RCW 13.40.020)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.