Washington legal term
Public servant in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Public servant” 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 “Public servant” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Public servant" means any person other than a witness who presently occupies the position of or has been elected, appointed, or designated to become any officer or employee of government, including a legislator, judge, judicial officer, juror, and any person participating as an advisor, consultant, or otherwise in performing a governmental function; (24) "Signature" includes any memorandum, mark, or sign made with intent to authenticate any instrument or writing, or the subscription of any person thereto; (25) "Statute" means the Constitution or an act of the legislature or initiative or refe (RCW 9A.04.110)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Amber alert
- Bribery
- Criminal impersonation in the first degree
- Failure to disperse
- Intimidating a public servant
- Making a false or misleading statement to a public servant
- Official misconduct
- Perjury in the second degree
- Receiving or granting unlawful compensation
- Requesting unlawful compensation
- Theft in the second degree
- Trading in public office
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.