Washington legal term
Recidivist offense in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Recidivist 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 “Recidivist offense” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Recidivist offense" means a felony offense where a prior conviction of the same offense or other specified offense is an element of the crime including, but not limited to: (a) Assault in the fourth degree where domestic violence is pleaded and proven, RCW 9A.36.041(3); (b) Cyber harassment, RCW 9A.90.120(2)(b)(i); (c) Harassment, RCW 9A.46.020(2)(b)(i); (d) Indecent exposure, RCW 9A.88.010(2)(c); (e) Stalking, RCW 9A.46.110(5)(b) (i) and (iii); (f) Telephone harassment, RCW 9.61.230(2)(a); and (g) Violation of a no-contact or protection order, RCW 7.105.450 or former RCW 26.50.110(5). (RCW 9.94A.030)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.