WHAT EACH CHARGE CARRIES
18 charges people actually meet, each with the section it comes from, what it requires the state to show, and the most it can carry. Washington sorts a crime into a misdemeanor, a gross misdemeanor, or a class A, B or C felony, and fixes each one's longest term and largest fine, so each level here names its class and that range.
18 charges
Theft
GROSS to B FELONY · up to Ten years
Also searched as stealing, shoplifting, larceny, took something
Wrongfully obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over another's property or services with intent to deprive them of it, or obtaining control by deception.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenThird degree: not more than $750 |
| C FELONYClass C felony | Five years$10,000 fine | WhenSecond degree: more than $750, up to $5,000 |
| B FELONYClass B felony | Ten years$20,000 fine | WhenFirst degree: more than $5,000, or anything taken from another's person |
Possession of a controlled substance
GROSS · up to Up to 364 days
Also searched as drug possession, possession, using in public
Knowingly possessing a controlled substance without a valid prescription, or knowingly using one in a public place.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$1,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case: up to 180 days |
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenAfter two or more prior convictions: up to 364 days |
Officers are encouraged to offer a referral to assessment and services in place of jail booking. At 21 or older, one ounce of useable cannabis is lawful.
Disorderly conduct
MISD · up to Up to ninety days
Also searched as disturbing the peace, blocking traffic, disrupting a meeting
Abusive language intentionally creating a risk of assault, intentionally disrupting a lawful meeting, intentionally obstructing traffic without authority, or disrupting a funeral.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Up to ninety days$1,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
Resisting arrest
MISD · up to Up to ninety days
Also searched as resisting, pulled away from the officer
Intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent a peace officer from lawfully arresting oneself.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Up to ninety days$1,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
Obstructing a law enforcement officer
GROSS · up to Up to 364 days
Also searched as obstruction, getting in the way, hindering an officer
Willfully hindering, delaying or obstructing a law enforcement officer in the discharge of official duties.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
Making a false or misleading statement to a public servant
GROSS · up to Up to 364 days
Also searched as lying to police, false name, false statement
Knowingly making a false or misleading material statement to a public servant.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
Attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle
C FELONY · up to Five years
Also searched as eluding, fleeing, car chase, did not pull over
Willfully failing to stop and driving recklessly while eluding a pursuing police vehicle, after a signal from a uniformed officer in a vehicle with lights and sirens.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C FELONYClass C felony | Five years$10,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
It is an affirmative defense that a reasonable person would not believe the signal came from a police officer. A conviction revokes the license.
Reckless driving
GROSS · up to Up to 364 days
Also searched as willful or wanton disregard, bad driving
Driving any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
The department suspends the license for not less than thirty days on a conviction.
Driving while license suspended or revoked
MISD to GROSS · up to Up to 364 days
Also searched as driving on a suspended license, DWLS, revoked license
Driving while the license is suspended or revoked, graded by the reason for the suspension.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Up to ninety days$1,000 fine | WhenThird degree: suspended only for reasons such as an unanswered ticket, no proof of insurance, or unpaid child support |
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenSecond degree: suspended for another listed reason, while not eligible to reinstate |
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenFirst degree: revoked as a habitual offender, with not less than 10 days in jail the first time |
A person with a valid Washington driver's license is not guilty of the offense.
Minor in possession of liquor
GROSS · up to Up to 364 days
Also searched as underage drinking, MIP, minor in possession
A person under 21 possessing, consuming or otherwise acquiring liquor.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
Criminal trespass
MISD to GROSS · up to Up to 364 days
Also searched as trespassing, refused to leave, entered a building
Knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building, or in or upon other premises of another.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Up to ninety days$1,000 fine | WhenSecond degree: other premises |
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenFirst degree: a building |
It is a defense that the building was abandoned, that the premises were open to the public and every lawful condition was met, or that the person reasonably believed the owner would have allowed it.
Assault
GROSS to B FELONY · up to Ten years
Also searched as hit someone, fight, assault on an officer, strangulation
An assault, graded by the harm, the means and the person assaulted.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenFourth degree: any assault not amounting to a higher degree |
| C FELONYClass C felony | Five years$10,000 fine | WhenThird degree: assaulting a law enforcement officer performing official duties, among other listed circumstances |
| B FELONYClass B felony | Ten years$20,000 fine | WhenSecond degree: intentionally assaulting and recklessly inflicting substantial bodily harm, with a deadly weapon, or by strangulation or suffocation |
Harassment
GROSS to C FELONY · up to Five years
Also searched as threats, threatening messages, threatened to hurt
Knowingly threatening, without lawful authority, bodily injury, property damage, confinement, or another act meant to substantially harm someone, placing them in reasonable fear it will be carried out.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
| C FELONYClass C felony | Five years$10,000 fine | WhenA threat to kill |
Stalking
GROSS to B FELONY · up to Ten years
Also searched as following someone, tracking device, repeated contact
Intentionally and repeatedly harassing or following someone, contacting or tracking them after actual notice they do not want it, or secretly installing a tracking device, causing substantial emotional distress or fear.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
| B FELONYClass B felony | Ten years$20,000 fine | WhenIn the circumstances the section lists, such as a prior stalking conviction |
Recording a private conversation
GROSS · up to Up to 364 days
Also searched as secret recording, recording a call, two party consent, all party consent
Recording a private communication or conversation without first obtaining the consent of all the participants.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
Consent is obtained when one party announces to all the others that the conversation is about to be recorded, and the announcement is recorded too.
Pistol in a vehicle without a license
MISD · up to Up to ninety days
Also searched as gun in the car, loaded pistol in the car, concealed pistol license
Carrying a loaded pistol in a vehicle without a concealed pistol license, or leaving an unloaded one in a vehicle not locked in and concealed from view.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Up to ninety days$1,000 fine | WhenA loaded pistol in a vehicle, without a license |
| MISDMisdemeanor | Up to ninety days$1,000 fine | WhenAn unloaded pistol left in a vehicle, not locked in and concealed from view |
Displaying a weapon to intimidate
GROSS · up to Up to 364 days
Also searched as brandishing, waved a gun, showed a knife
Carrying, exhibiting, displaying or drawing a firearm or other weapon in a way that shows an intent to intimidate or warrants alarm for others' safety.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenThe ordinary case |
It also costs a concealed pistol license, and does not apply in one's home or business, or to protecting oneself or another against presently threatened unlawful force.
Hit and run
MISD to B FELONY · up to Ten years
Also searched as leaving the scene, drove off after a crash
Failing to stop and give the required information and assistance after a crash, or after hitting an unattended vehicle, to find the owner or leave a note.
| Class | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| MISDMisdemeanor | Up to ninety days$1,000 fine | WhenAn unattended vehicle |
| GROSSGross misdemeanor | Up to 364 days$5,000 fine | WhenDamage to an attended vehicle or property |
| C FELONYClass C felony | Five years$10,000 fine | WhenAn injury |
| B FELONYClass B felony | Ten years$20,000 fine | WhenA death |
Every class on this page, for reference
Each range comes from the section that sets the maximum for every class. A crime that is neither a felony nor a misdemeanor is a gross misdemeanor.
- MISDMisdemeanorUp to ninety days$1,000
- GROSSGross misdemeanorUp to 364 days$5,000
- C FELONYClass C felonyFive years$10,000
- B FELONYClass B felonyTen years$20,000
Words on a charging document
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Attempting to eludeWillfully failing to stop and driving recklessly while eluding a pursuing police vehicle after a signal from an officer in uniform with lights and sirens, a class C felony.
- Gross misdemeanorThe crime level between a misdemeanor and a felony, punishable by up to three hundred sixty four days in jail, a fine up to five thousand dollars, or both.
- HarassmentKnowingly threatening, without lawful authority, to cause bodily injury, damage property, or confine someone, where the words or conduct place the person in reasonable fear the threat will be carried out.
- HazingIntentional hazing of another by a student or other person in attendance at a college, university or other postsecondary institution. It is a gross misdemeanor, and a class C felony if it causes substantial bodily harm.
- Obstructing a law enforcement officerWillfully hindering, delaying or obstructing a law enforcement officer in the discharge of official duties, a gross misdemeanor.
- Resisting arrestIntentionally preventing or attempting to prevent a peace officer from lawfully arresting oneself, a misdemeanor.
- StalkingIntentionally and repeatedly harassing or following someone, or contacting, following, tracking or monitoring them after actual notice that they do not want it, causing fear a reasonable person would feel.
- Theft in the third degreeTheft of property or services worth not more than $750, a gross misdemeanor.
- TollingA pause in a limitation period. The criminal periods do not run while the person charged is not usually and publicly resident in the state.
- Vacating a convictionApplying to the sentencing court to clear a conviction after the waiting period; once a felony record is vacated, the person may state, including on job applications, that they have never been convicted of that crime.
About this guide — maximums, not predictions. What a specific case carries turns on priors, the facts, and the court, and only a licensed Washington attorney can tell you what yours is. Current as of September 2026.