Wash. Rev. Code » Title 10 · Chapter 10.79
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 10.79.015 (2026)

Other grounds for issuance of search warrant

✓ current as of May 2026
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Any such magistrate, when satisfied that there is reasonable cause, may also, upon like complaint made on oath, issue search warrant in the following cases, to wit:
(1) To search for and seize any counterfeit or spurious coin, or forged instruments, or tools, machines or materials, prepared or provided for making either of them.
(2) To search for and seize any gaming apparatus used or kept, and to be used in any unlawful gaming house, or in any building, apartment or place, resorted to for the purpose of unlawful gaming.
(3) To search for and seize any evidence material to the investigation or prosecution of any homicide or any felony: PROVIDED, That if the evidence is sought to be secured from any radio or television station or from any regularly published newspaper, magazine or wire service, or from any employee of such station, wire service or publication, the evidence shall be secured only through a subpoena duces tecum unless: (a) There is probable cause to believe that the person or persons in possession of the evidence may be involved in the crime under investigation; or (b) there is probable cause to believe that the evidence sought to be seized will be destroyed or hidden if subpoena duces tecum procedures are followed. As used in this subsection, "person or persons" includes both natural and judicial persons.
(4) To search for and seize any instrument, apparatus or device used to obtain telephone or telegraph service in violation of RCW 9.26A.110 or 9.26A.115.
[ 2003 c 53 s 94; 1980 c 52 s 1; 1972 ex.s. c 75 s 2; 1969 c 83 s 1; 1949 c 86 s 1; Code 1881 s 986; 1873 p 216 s 154; 1854 p 101 s 2; Rem. Supp. 1949 s 2238. Formerly RCW 10.79.010, part.]

Notes:

Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 18 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1969–2024 · leading case: City of Seattle v. McCready, 868 P.2d 134 (Wash. 1994).
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City of Seattle v. McCready, 868 P.2d 134 (Wash. 1994). · cites it 5× “RCW 10.79.015 authorizes search warrants on the basis of "reasonable cause” in four cases: to search for instruments of counterfeiting; to search for instruments of illegal gaming; to search for evidence of homicide or felony; and to search for instruments used to illegally…”
State v. Vickers, 148 Wash. 2d 91 (Wash. 2002). “3 which supersedes RCW 10.79.015, .040. “A search warrant may be issued only if the court determines there is probable cause for the issuance of a warrant.”
State v. Fields, 530 P.2d 284 (Wash. 1975). · cites it 4× “The trial court reasoned that the statute, RCW 10.79.015, which authorizes search warrants, limits, so far as applicable here, issuance of warrants to investigation of felonies while CrR 2.”
State v. Chenoweth, 158 P.3d 595 (Wash. 2007). “10 ¶19 Under RCW 10.79.015, “Any . . . magistrate, when satisfied that there is reasonable cause, may also, upon like complaint made on oath, issue [a] search warrant in the following cases, to wit: .”
State v. Miles, 156 P.3d 864 (Wash. 2007). “3d 217 (2003) (without a warrant requirement, there is no limitation on the State’s intrusion “whether criminal activity is suspected or not”); RCW 10.79.015; CrR 2.3(c). The scope of the invasion is, in turn, limited to that authorized by the authority of law.”
City of Seattle v. McCready, 877 P.2d 686 (Wash. 1994). · cites it 2× “For example, one potentially relevant source of authority for issuing search warrants is RCW 10.79.015, which states: Any such magistrate, when satisfied that there is reasonable cause, may .”
State v. Intercontinental, Ltd., 486 A.2d 174 (Md. 1985). “) (any property constituting evidence of an offense, except "personal writings”); Utah Code Ann.”
State v. Thomas, 851 P.2d 673 (Wash. 1993). “308, the implied consent statute, is a special statute that controls in the area of chemical or blood testing of a driver suspected of being intoxicated, to the exclusion of the then-existing general search warrant statute (RCW 10.79.015(3)). Krieg , at 23. Krieg , however, was…”
State v. Krieg, 497 P.2d 621 (Wash. Ct. App. 1972). · cites it 2× “015, which empowers a magistrate to issue a search warrant authorizing a search and seizure of any evidence material to an investigation or prosecution of any felony; (2) the statutory warnings are applicable only when implied, not express, consent is relied upon; (3) the…”
State v. Davidson, 613 P.2d 564 (Wash. Ct. App. 1980). “RCW 10.79.015. Unlike the inferior courts, the jurisdiction of the superior court is established by the state constitution and it extends to all misdemeanors unless otherwise provided by law.”
J.O. v. Twp. of Bedminster, 77 A.3d 1242 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 2013). “520 (2) (2011); Wash. Rev. Code § 10.79.015 (3) (2013); Wis.”
City of Snohomish v. Swoboda, 461 P.2d 546 (Wash. Ct. App. 1969). “010 (stolen or embezzled property), RCW 10.79.015 (counterfeit coins, gambling apparatus and .”
Show all 18 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.79.015(3) — 2 cases
State v. Intercontinental, Ltd., 486 A.2d 174 (Md. 1985). “) (any property constituting evidence of an offense, except "personal writings”); Utah Code Ann.”
State v. Thomas, 851 P.2d 673 (Wash. 1993). “308, the implied consent statute, is a special statute that controls in the area of chemical or blood testing of a driver suspected of being intoxicated, to the exclusion of the then-existing general search warrant statute (RCW 10.79.015(3)). Krieg , at 23. Krieg , however, was…”
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