Washington statute
RCW 9A.60.045 — Criminal impersonation in the second degree
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.60: Fraud, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9A.60.045
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 criminal impersonation in the second degree if the person:
(a) Falsely assumes the identity of a veteran or active duty member of the armed forces of the United States with intent to defraud for the purpose of personal gain or to facilitate any unlawful activity; or
(b)(i) Knowingly distributes a forged digital likeness of another person as a genuine visual representation or audio recording with intent to defraud, harass, threaten, or intimidate another or for any other unlawful purpose; and
(ii) Knows or reasonably should know that the forged digital likeness is not genuine.
(2) Criminal impersonation in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1)(b) of this section shall be construed to prohibit the distribution of visual representations or audio recordings for matters of cultural, historical, political, religious, educational, newsworthy, or public interest including, but not limited to, use in works of art, commentary, satire, and parody protected by the Washington state Constitution or the United States Constitution.
(4) Nothing in subsection (1)(b) of this section shall be construed to impose liability upon the following entities solely as a result of content provided by another person:
(a) An interactive computer service, as defined in Title 47 U.S.C. Sec. 230(f)(2);
(b) A mobile telecommunications service provider, as defined in RCW 82.04.065; or
(c) A telecommunications network or broadband provider.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is criminal impersonation in the second degree a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Criminal impersonation in the second degree is a Gross Misdemeanor in Washington under RCW 9A.60.045.
Which Washington statute covers criminal impersonation in the second degree?
Criminal impersonation in the second degree is governed by RCW 9A.60.045 (Criminal impersonation in the second degree).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.