Washington statute
RCW 9A.76.177 — Amber alert—Making a false or misleading statement to a public servant
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 9A.76: Obstructing Governmental Operation, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 9A.76.177
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 who, with the intent of causing an activation of the voluntary broadcast notification system commonly known as the "Amber alert," or as the same system may otherwise be known, which is used to notify the public of abducted children, knowingly makes a false or misleading material statement to a public servant that a child has been abducted and which statement causes an activation, is guilty of a class C felony.
(2) "Material statement" means a written or oral statement reasonably likely to be relied upon by a public servant in the discharge of his or her official powers or duties.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is amber alert a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Amber alert is a Class C Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.76.177.
Which Washington statute covers amber alert?
Amber alert is governed by RCW 9A.76.177 (Amber alert—Making a false or misleading statement to a public servant).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.