Crime Classifications in Washington

Crimes in Washington generally fall into two categories: (1) felonies and (2) misdemeanors. The exact punishment that can be imposed upon conviction of a crime depends on the type of crime and the individual’s prior criminal record.

Felonies: Generally speaking, a felony is a crime for which the sentence may be more than one year in prison. In the state of Washington, there are three classes of felonies: Class A (maximum penalty of life in prison and $50,000 fine), Class B (maximum penalty 10 years in prison and $20,000 fine), and Class C (maximum penalty 5 years in prison and $10,000 fine). Sentencing in felony cases is governed by the Sentence Reform Act of 1981, which established determinate sentencing based on the seriousness level of the offense (levels I – XVI; level I being the least serious) and the defendant’s “offender score.” The offender score is determined by looking at the number and type of prior convictions.  To view the felony sentencing grids, go to the Washington Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Death penalty: Washington has a death penalty for conviction of aggravated murder in the first degree (premeditated murder + a statutory aggravating factor). The only other penalty for aggravated murder is life without the possibility of parole. For additional information on capital punishment in Washington, go to the site of the Washington Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

Persistent offenders: In 1993 Washington became the first state to pass a “three strikes and you’re out” law. Washington now has both a “three strikes” law and “two strikes” law. Each law specifies a list of crimes for which a third or, in the case of certain sex offenses, a second conviction results in a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole. You can view a list of “most serious offenses” at  the Washington Sentencing Guidelines Commission.

Misdemeanors : There are two categories of misdemeanors in this state: gross misdemeanors (punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine) and misdemeanors (punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine).

DUI: Washington is a .08 state. A first time conviction for DUI results in a mandatory minimum of one day in jail as well as mandatory license suspension. Subsequent convictions carry increasing amounts of mandatory minimum jail sentences. DUI’s are gross misdemeanors.

For information on the elements of specific crimes, search the Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

For more information and additional links on Washington related law check out Society of Counsel's link page