Washington statute
RCW 9A.32.055 — Homicide by abuse
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.32: Homicide, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9A.32.055
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) A person is guilty of homicide by abuse if, under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life, the person causes the death of a child or person under sixteen years of age, a developmentally disabled person, or a dependent adult, and the person has previously engaged in a pattern or practice of assault or torture of said child, person under sixteen years of age, developmentally disabled person, or dependent person.
(2) As used in this section, "dependent adult" means a person who, because of physical or mental disability, or because of extreme advanced age, is dependent upon another person to provide the basic necessities of life.
(3) Homicide by abuse is a class A felony.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is homicide by abuse a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Homicide by abuse is a Class A Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.32.055.
Which Washington statute covers homicide by abuse?
Homicide by abuse is governed by RCW 9A.32.055 (Homicide by abuse).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.