Washington legal term
Serious mental illness in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Serious mental illness” 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 “Serious mental illness” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Serious mental illness" means a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in a serious functional impairment, which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. (RCW 9.94A.695)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.