Washington legal term
First-time offender in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “First-time offender” 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 “First-time offender” mean in Washington criminal law?
"First-time offender" means any person who has no prior convictions for a felony and is eligible for the first-time offender waiver under RCW 9.94A.650. (RCW 9.94A.030)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.