Washington statute
RCW 9A.36.120 — Assault of a child in the first degree
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.36: Assault—Physical Harm, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9A.36.120
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 eighteen years of age or older is guilty of the crime of assault of a child in the first degree if the child is under the age of thirteen and the person:
(a) Commits the crime of assault in the first degree, as defined in RCW 9A.36.011, against the child; or
(b) Intentionally assaults the child and either:
(i) Recklessly inflicts great bodily harm; or
(ii) Causes substantial bodily harm, and the person has previously engaged in a pattern or practice either of (A) assaulting the child which has resulted in bodily harm that is greater than transient physical pain or minor temporary marks, or (B) causing the child physical pain or agony that is equivalent to that produced by torture.
(2) Assault of a child in the first degree is a class A felony.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is assault of a child in the first degree a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Assault of a child in the first degree is a Class A Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.36.120.
Which Washington statute covers assault of a child in the first degree?
Assault of a child in the first degree is governed by RCW 9A.36.120 (Assault of a child in the first degree).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.