Washington statute
RCW 9A.56.063 — Making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.56: Theft And Robbery, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9A.56.063
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) Any person who makes or mends, or causes to be made or mended, uses, or has in his or her possession any motor vehicle theft tool, that is adapted, designed, or commonly used for the commission of motor vehicle related theft, under circumstances evincing an intent to use or employ, or allow the same to be used or employed, in the commission of motor vehicle theft, or knowing that the same is intended to be so used, is guilty of making or having motor vehicle theft tools.
(2) For the purpose of this section, motor vehicle theft tool includes, but is not limited to, the following: Slim jim, false master key, master purpose key, altered or shaved key, trial or jiggler key, slide hammer, lock puller, picklock, bit, nipper, any other implement shown by facts and circumstances that is intended to be used in the commission of a motor vehicle related theft, or knowing that the same is intended to be so used.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "False master" or "master key" is any key or other device made or altered to fit locks or ignitions of multiple vehicles, or vehicles other than that for which the key was originally manufactured.
(b) "Altered or shaved key" is any key so altered, by cutting, filing, or other means, to fit multiple vehicles or vehicles other than the vehicles for which the key was originally manufactured.
(c) "Trial keys" or "jiggler keys" are keys or sets designed or altered to manipulate a vehicle locking mechanism other than the lock for which the key was originally manufactured.
(4) Making or having motor vehicle theft tools is a gross misdemeanor.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools is a Gross Misdemeanor in Washington under RCW 9A.56.063.
Which Washington statute covers making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools?
Making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools is governed by RCW 9A.56.063 (Making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.