Revised Code of Washington
Wash. Rev. Code § 10.37.015 (2026)
✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) No person shall be held to answer in any court for an alleged crime or offense, unless upon an information filed by the prosecuting attorney, or upon an indictment by a grand jury, except in cases of misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor before a district or municipal judge, or before a court-martial, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
(2) Violations of RCW 46.20.342(1)(c)(iv) may be required by the prosecuting attorney to be referred to his or her office for consideration of filing an information or for entry into a precharge diversion program.
[ 2011 c 46 s 1; 1987 c 202 s 167; 1927 c 103 s 1; Code 1881 s 764; RRS s 2023. Formerly RCW 10.37.010, part.]
Notes:
Intent—1987 c 202: See note following RCW 2.04.190.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1963–2024 · leading case: Ramos v. Louisiana, 590 U.S. 83 (2020).
Ramos v. Louisiana, 590 U.S. 83 (2020). “7(a) (2018); Wash. Rev. Code §10.37.015 (2019); Wis. Stat.”
Thurston Cnty. Ex Rel. Snaza v. City of Olympia, 440 P.3d 988 (Wash. 2019). “01(b)(1) (1974); RCW 10.37.015(1). Then as now, that is a power reserved to the prosecuting attorney or grand jury.”
State v. Russell, 657 P.2d 338 (Wash. Ct. App. 1983). “003, RCW 10.37.015, the provisions of RCW 10.43.”
State v. Platz, 655 P.2d 710 (Wash. Ct. App. 1982). “Teresa Brown testified over objection that Platz was in the habit of carrying a knife.”
State v. Canady, 421 P.2d 347 (Wash. 1966). “The defendant’s third assignment of error is based on the fact that he was not given an additional preliminary hearing, after the information was amended, when he claims that he was charged with the additional felony of carrying a firearm while committing a crime of violence. We…”
State v. Westphal, 382 P.2d 269 (Wash. 1963). “First, defendant urges that he was charged by information rather than by an indictment by a grand jury which, he claims, contravenes his constitutional rights as provided by the fifth amendment to the Constitution of the United States. A defendant may be charged in the state of…”
Ramos v. Louisiana, 140 S. Ct. 1390 (2020). “I, § 10 (providing that "[e]ach of the several courts of common pleas may, with the approval of the Supreme Court, provide for the initiation of criminal proceedings therein by information"-a condition that has now been met in all counties); see also 42 Pa.”
State of Washington v. Garry Brandon Ault (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “RCW 10.37.015. Although police officers have authority to initiate criminal charges, their authority to charge a person is limited to misdemeanors.”
Prp Of Michael L. Mcleod (Wash. Ct. App. 2024). “EXCESSIVE BAIL McLeod argues that the superior court imposed excessive financial conditions during its bail determination.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.37.015(1) — 2 cases
Thurston Cnty. Ex Rel. Snaza v. City of Olympia, 440 P.3d 988 (Wash. 2019). “01(b)(1) (1974); RCW 10.37.015(1). Then as now, that is a power reserved to the prosecuting attorney or grand jury.”
State of Washington v. Garry Brandon Ault (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). “RCW 10.37.015. Although police officers have authority to initiate criminal charges, their authority to charge a person is limited to misdemeanors.”
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