Washington statute
RCW 9A.04.100 — Proof beyond a reasonable doubt
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.04: Preliminary Article, Revised Code of Washington.
Full text of RCW 9A.04.100
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.
(1) Every person charged with the commission of a crime is presumed innocent unless proved guilty. No person may be convicted of a crime unless each element of such crime is proved by competent evidence beyond a reasonable doubt.
(2) When a crime has been proven against a person, and there exists a reasonable doubt as to which of two or more degrees he or she is guilty, he or she shall be convicted only of the lowest degree.
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