Washington legal term
Most serious offense in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Most serious offense” 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 “Most serious offense” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Most serious offense" means any of the following felonies or a felony attempt to commit any of the following felonies: (a) Any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or criminal solicitation of or criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony; (b) Assault in the second degree; (c) Assault of a child in the second degree; (d) Child molestation in the second degree; (e) Controlled substance homicide; (f) Extortion in the first degree; (g) Incest when committed against a child under age 14; (h) Indecent liberties; (i) Kidnapping in the second degree; (j) Leading organized crime; (k) M (RCW 9.94A.030)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.