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Washington statute

RCW 9.68A.053 — Sexually explicit images—Crimes by minors—Penalties

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 9.68A: Sexual Exploitation Of Children, Revised Code of Washington.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of RCW 9.68A.053

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official text of the Revised Code of Washington from the Code Reviser's published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Washington.

RCW 9.68A.053Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
(1)(a)(i) A person under the age of 18 commits the crime of a minor dealing in depictions of another minor 13 years of age or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree when he or she knowingly distributes, publishes, transfers, disseminates, or exchanges a visual or printed matter that depicts another minor 13 years of age or older engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(8) (a) through (e). (ii) Minor dealing in depictions of another minor 13 years of age or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree is a gross misdemeanor. (b)(i) A person under the age of 18 commits the crime of a minor dealing in depictions of another minor 13 years of age or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the second degree when he or she knowingly distributes, publishes, transfers, disseminates, or exchanges a visual or printed matter that depicts another minor 13 years of age or older engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(8) (f) or (g). (ii) Minor dealing in depictions of another minor 13 years of age or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the second degree is a misdemeanor. (2)(a) A person under age 18 commits the crime of minor dealing in depictions of another minor 12 years of age or younger engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree when he or she: (i) Knowingly develops, duplicates, publishes, prints, disseminates, exchanges, finances, attempts to finance, or sells a visual or printed matter that depicts another minor 12 years of age or younger engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(8) (a) through (e); or (ii) Possesses with intent to develop, duplicate, publish, print, disseminate, exchange, or sell any visual or printed matter that depicts another minor 12 years of age or younger engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(8) (a) through (e). (b) Minor dealing in depictions of another minor 12 years of age or younger engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the first degree is a class B felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. (3)(a) A person under age 18 commits the crime of minor dealing in depictions of another minor 12 years of age or younger engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the second degree when he or she: (i) Knowingly develops, duplicates, publishes, prints, disseminates, exchanges, finances, attempts to finance, or sells any visual or printed matter that depicts another minor 12 years of age or younger engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(8) (f) or (g); or (ii) Possesses with intent to develop, duplicate, publish, print, disseminate, exchange, or sell any visual or printed matter that depicts another minor 12 years of age or younger engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(8) (f) or (g). (b) Minor dealing in depictions of a minor 12 years of age or younger engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the second degree is a class B felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. (4)(a) Any person under the age of 18 commits the crime of minor financing or selling depictions of another minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct when he or she finances, attempts to finance, or sells a visual or printed matter that depicts a minor engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(8) (a) through (g). (b) Minor financing or selling depictions of another minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct is a class B felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW. (5)(a) A person under the age of 18 commits the crime of minor selling depictions of himself or herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct when he or she sells a visual or printed matter that depicts himself or herself engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(8) (a) through (g). (b) Minor selling depictions of himself or herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct is a misdemeanor. (6) This section does not apply to a person under 18 years of age who finances, attempts to finance, develops, duplicates, publishes, prints, disseminates, exchanges, or possesses a visual or printed matter that depicts himself or herself engaged in an act of sexually explicit conduct as defined in RCW 9.68A.011(8). (7) For the purposes of determining the unit of prosecution under this section, each depiction or image of visual or printed matter constitutes a separate offense.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is sexually explicit images a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?

It depends on the circumstances: sexually explicit images ranges from a Misdemeanor to a Class B Felony in Washington under RCW 9.68A.053.

Minor dealing in depictions of another minor 13 or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct — first degree: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 9.68A.053(1)(a)) · Minor dealing in depictions of another minor 13 or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct — second degree: Misdemeanor (RCW 9.68A.053(1)(b)) · Minor dealing in depictions of another minor 12 or younger engaged in sexually explicit conduct — first degree: Class B Felony (RCW 9.68A.053(2)(b)) · Minor dealing in depictions of another minor 12 or younger engaged in sexually explicit conduct — second degree: Class B Felony (RCW 9.68A.053(3)(b)) · Minor financing or selling depictions of another minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct: Class B Felony (RCW 9.68A.053(4)(b)) · Minor selling depictions of himself or herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct: Misdemeanor (RCW 9.68A.053(5)(b))

Which Washington statute covers sexually explicit images?

Sexually explicit images is governed by RCW 9.68A.053 (Sexually explicit images—Crimes by minors—Penalties).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.