Skip to main content
US Criminal Defense.org
Menu

Washington statute

RCW 9.86.020 — Improper use of flag prohibited

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 9.86: Flags, Crimes Relating To, Revised Code of Washington.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of RCW 9.86.020

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 9.86.020Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
(1) No person shall, in any manner, for exhibition or display: (a) Place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, color, ensign or shield of the United States or of this state, or authorized by any law of the United States or of this state; or (b) Expose to public view any such flag, standard, color, ensign or shield upon which shall have been printed, painted or otherwise produced, or to which shall have been attached, appended, affixed or annexed any such word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing or advertisement; or (c) Expose to public view for sale, manufacture, or otherwise, or to sell, give, or have in possession for sale, for gift or for use for any purpose, any substance, being an article of merchandise, or receptacle, or thing for holding or carrying merchandise, upon or to which shall have been produced or attached any such flag, standard, color, ensign or shield, in order to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark or distinguish such article or substance. (2) A violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is improper use of flag prohibited a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?

Improper use of flag prohibited is a Gross Misdemeanor in Washington under RCW 9.86.020.

Which Washington statute covers improper use of flag prohibited?

Improper use of flag prohibited is governed by RCW 9.86.020 (Improper use of flag prohibited).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.