Washington legal term
Dependent person in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Dependent person” 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 “Dependent person” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Dependent person" means a person who, because of physical or mental disability, or because of extreme advanced age, is dependent upon another person to provide the basic necessities of life. (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
- Criminal mistreatment in the first degree
- Criminal mistreatment in the fourth degree
- Criminal mistreatment in the second degree
- Criminal mistreatment in the third degree
- Homicide by abuse
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.