Washington legal term
Physical force in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Physical force” 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 “Physical force” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Physical force" means any act reasonably likely to cause physical pain or injury or any other act exerted upon a person's body to compel, control, constrain, or restrain the person's movement. (RCW 10.120.010)
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.