Washington legal term
General law enforcement agency in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “General law enforcement agency” 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 “General law enforcement agency” mean in Washington criminal law?
"General law enforcement agency" means any agency, department, or division of a municipal corporation, political subdivision, or other unit of local government of this state or any other state, and any agency, department, or division of any state government, having as its primary function the detection and apprehension of persons committing infractions or violating the traffic or criminal laws in general. (RCW 9.41.251)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.