Washington legal term
Offense in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “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 “Offense” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Offense" means an act designated a violation or a crime if committed by an adult under the law of this state, under any ordinance of any city or county of this state, under any federal law, or under the law of another state if the act occurred in that state; (24) "Physical restraint" means the use of any bodily force or physical intervention to control a juvenile offender or limit a juvenile offender's freedom of movement in a way that does not involve a mechanical restraint. (RCW 13.40.020)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Commercial sexual abuse of a minor
- Communication with minor for immoral purposes
- Computer trespass in the second degree
- Concealed pistol license
- Court-ordered requirements upon person charged with crime
- Criminal attempt
- Criminal conspiracy
- Criminal gang intimidation
- Criminal street gang tagging and graffiti
- Cyber harassment
- Dealing in depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct
- Disclosing fabricated intimate images
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.