Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Washington legal term

Good faith effort to pay in Washington Criminal Law

Current through 2026 Washington legislative session

In Washington criminal law, “Good faith effort to pay” 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 “Good faith effort to pay” mean in Washington criminal law?

"Good faith effort to pay" means a juvenile offender has either (i) paid the principal amount in full; (ii) made at least 80 percent of the value of full monthly payments within the period from disposition or deferred disposition until the time the amount of restitution owed is under review; or (iii) can show good cause why he or she paid an amount less than 80 percent of the value of full monthly payments; (c) "Juvenile justice or care agency" means any of the following: Police, diversion units, court, prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, detention center, attorney general, the oversight b (RCW 13.50.010)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.