Wash. Rev. Code » Title 10 · Chapter 10.99
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Agency" means a general authority Washington law enforcement agency as defined in RCW 10.93.020.
(2) "Association" means the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs.
(3) "Dating relationship" has the same meaning as in RCW 7.105.010.
(4) "Domestic violence" includes but is not limited to any of the following crimes when committed either by (a) one family or household member against another family or household member, or (b) one intimate partner against another intimate partner:
(i) Assault in the first degree (RCW 9A.36.011);
(ii) Assault in the second degree (RCW 9A.36.021);
(iii) Assault in the third degree (RCW 9A.36.031);
(iv) Assault in the fourth degree (RCW 9A.36.041);
(v) Drive-by shooting (RCW 9A.36.045);
(vi) Reckless endangerment (RCW 9A.36.050);
(vii) Coercion (RCW 9A.36.070);
(viii) Burglary in the first degree (RCW 9A.52.020);
(ix) Burglary in the second degree (RCW 9A.52.030);
(x) Criminal trespass in the first degree (RCW 9A.52.070);
(xi) Criminal trespass in the second degree (RCW 9A.52.080);
(xii) Malicious mischief in the first degree (RCW 9A.48.070);
(xiii) Malicious mischief in the second degree (RCW 9A.48.080);
(xiv) Malicious mischief in the third degree (RCW 9A.48.090);
(xv) Kidnapping in the first degree (RCW 9A.40.020);
(xvi) Kidnapping in the second degree (RCW 9A.40.030);
(xvii) Unlawful imprisonment (RCW 9A.40.040);
(xviii) Violation of the provisions of a restraining order, no-contact order, or protection order restraining or enjoining the person or restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering a residence, workplace, school, or day care, or prohibiting the person from knowingly coming within, or knowingly remaining within, a specified distance of a location, a protected party's person, or a protected party's vehicle (chapter 7.105 RCW, or RCW 10.99.040, 10.99.050, 26.09.300, * 26.10.220, 26.26B.050, 26.44.063, 26.44.150, or 26.52.070, or any of the former RCW 26.50.060, 26.50.070, 26.50.130, and 74.34.145);
(xix) Rape in the first degree (RCW 9A.44.040);
(xx) Rape in the second degree (RCW 9A.44.050);
(xxi) Residential burglary (RCW 9A.52.025);
(xxii) Stalking (RCW 9A.46.110); and
(xxiii) Interference with the reporting of domestic violence (RCW 9A.36.150).
(5) "Electronic monitoring" means the same as in RCW 9.94A.030.
(6) "Employee" means any person currently employed with an agency.
(7) "Family or household members" means: (a) Adult persons related by blood or marriage; (b) adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past; and (c) persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren.
(8) "Intimate partners" means: (a) Spouses or domestic partners; (b) former spouses or former domestic partners; (c) persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time; (d) adult persons presently or previously residing together who have or have had a dating relationship; (e) persons 16 years of age or older who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship; or (f) persons 16 years of age or older with whom a person 16 years of age or older has or has had a dating relationship.
(9) "Sworn employee" means a general authority Washington peace officer as defined in RCW 10.93.020, any person appointed under RCW 35.21.333, and any person appointed or elected to carry out the duties of the sheriff under chapter 36.28 RCW.
(10) "Victim" means a family or household member or an intimate partner who has been subjected to domestic violence.
[ 2021 c 215 s 121. Prior: 2020 c 296 s 5; prior: 2019 c 263 s 203; 2019 c 46 s 5014; 2004 c 18 s 2; 2000 c 119 s 5; 1997 c 338 s 53; 1996 c 248 s 5; 1995 c 246 s 21; 1994 c 121 s 4; 1991 c 301 s 3; 1986 c 257 s 8; 1984 c 263 s 20; 1979 ex.s. c 105 s 2.]

Notes:

*Reviser's note: RCW 26.10.220 was repealed by 2020 c 312 s 905.
Effective date—2022 c 268; 2021 c 215: See note following RCW 7.105.900.
Short title—2020 c 296: See note following RCW 9.94A.030.
Findings—Intent—2019 c 263 ss 202-803: See note following RCW 10.01.240.
Intent—Definition of domestic violence—2019 c 263 ss 202-205: See note following RCW 10.01.240.
Findings—Intent—2004 c 18: "The legislature reaffirms its determination to reduce the incident rate of domestic violence. The legislature finds it is appropriate to help reduce the incident rate of domestic violence by addressing the need for improved coordination and accountability among general authority Washington law enforcement agencies and general authority Washington peace officers when reports of domestic violence are made and the alleged perpetrator is a general authority Washington peace officer. The legislature finds that coordination and accountability will be improved if general authority Washington law enforcement agencies adopt policies that meet statewide minimum requirements for training, reporting, interagency cooperation, investigation, and collaboration with groups serving victims of domestic violence. The legislature intends to provide maximum flexibility to general authority Washington law enforcement agencies, consistent with the purposes of this act, in their efforts to improve coordination and accountability when incidents of domestic violence committed or allegedly committed by general authority Washington peace officers are reported." [ 2004 c 18 s 1.]
Application—2000 c 119: See note following RCW 10.31.100.
Finding—Evaluation—Report—1997 c 338: See note following RCW 13.40.0357.
Severability—Effective dates—1997 c 338: See notes following RCW 5.60.060.
Finding—1991 c 301: "The legislature finds that:
The collective costs to the community for domestic violence include the systematic destruction of individuals and their families, lost lives, lost productivity, and increased health care, criminal justice, and social service costs.
Children growing up in violent homes are deeply affected by the violence as it happens and could be the next generation of batterers and victims.
Many communities have made headway in addressing the effects of domestic violence and have devoted energy and resources to stopping this violence. However, the process for breaking the cycle of abuse is lengthy. No single system intervention is enough in itself.
An integrated system has not been adequately funded and structured to assure access to a wide range of services, including those of the law/safety/justice system, human service system, and health care system. These services need to be coordinated and multidisciplinary in approach and address the needs of victims, batterers, and children from violent homes.
Given the lethal nature of domestic violence and its effect on all within its range, the community has a vested interest in the methods used to stop and prevent future violence. Clear standards of quality are needed so that perpetrator treatment programs receiving public funds or court-ordered referrals can be required to comply with these standards.
While incidents of domestic violence are not caused by perpetrator's use of alcohol and illegal substances, substance abuse may be a contributing factor to domestic violence and the injuries and deaths that result from it.
There is a need for consistent training of professionals who deal frequently with domestic violence or are in a position to identify domestic violence and provide support and information.
Much has been learned about effective interventions in domestic violence situations; however, much is not yet known and further study is required to know how to best stop this violence." [ 1991 c 301 s 1.]
Severability—1986 c 257: See note following RCW 9A.56.010.
Effective date—1986 c 257 ss 3-10: See note following RCW 9A.04.110.
Domestic violence defined for protection orders: RCW 7.105.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 239 cases (39 in the last 5 years), 1991–2026 · leading case: State v. Kozey, 334 P.3d 1170 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).
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State v. Kozey, 334 P.3d 1170 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 28× “030(20) as conjunctively incorporating the definitions of “domestic violence” found in RCW 10.99.020 and RCW 26.50.010. Agreeing with the State, we reverse and remand for resentencing consistent with a disjunctive interpretation of the definition of “domestic violence” in RCW 9.”
State v. Abdi-Issa, 504 P.3d 223 (Wash. 2022). · cites it 12× “205 and sought a domestic violence designation under RCW 10.99.020 and RCW 9A.36.041(4). The State also charged two sentencing aggravators: (1) that the crime had a destructive and foreseeable impact on persons other than the victim under RCW 9.”
State Of Washington v. Adrian Munoz Rivera, 361 P.3d 182 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 8× “RCW 10.99.020(3) (emphasis added). Here, it is undisputed that K.”
State v. Nonog, 169 Wash. 2d 220 (Wash. 2010). · cites it 6× “The count charging interfering with reporting did not specify the underlying domestic violence crime but alleged that the defendant “committed a crime of domestic violence as defined by RCW 10.99.020” on a certain day. Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 11.”
State v. McDonald, 333 P.3d 451 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 8× “2 The information alleged that the offenses involved “domestic violence” as defined in RCW 10.99.020. The harassment charge was dismissed at the end of the State’s case for lack of evidence.”
City of Tacoma v. State, 816 P.2d 7 (Wash. 1991). · cites it 5× “For example, it altered the definition of domestic violence and added four new crimes to the list contained in RCW 10.99.020. The act now mandates arrest when an officer has probable cause to believe that a domestic violence crime has been committed.”
State v. Nonog, 237 P.3d 250 (Wash. 2010). · cites it 6× “The count charging interfering with reporting did not specify the underlying domestic violence crime, but alleged that the defendant "committed a crime of domestic violence as defined by RCW 10.99.020" on a certain day. Clerk's Papers (CP) at 11.”
State v. Stinton, 121 Wash. App. 569 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 4× “Former RCW 10.99.020(3)(r) (2002); 4 former 9A.46.”
State v. Zatkovich, 113 Wash. App. 70 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 5× “535(2)(h) prescribes domestic violence, plus one of three alternative factors, as an aggravating circumstance justifying an exceptional sentence: The current offense involved domestic violence, as defined in RCW 10.99.020, and one or more of the following was present: (i) The…”
State v. Arndt, 453 P.3d 696 (Wash. 2019). “It also made special allegations of domestic violence under RCW 10.99.020 and alleged an aggravating circumstance allowing for departure from the sentencing guidelines under RCW 9.”
State Of Washington, V. Charles Freeman Christian, 489 P.3d 657 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 3× “150 provides, (1) A person commits the crime of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence if the person: (a) Commits a crime of domestic violence, as defined in RCW 10.99.020; and (b) Prevents or attempts to prevent the victim of or a witness to that domestic violence…”
State v. Hai Minh Nguyen, 425 P.3d 847 (Wash. 2018). “Additionally, we reverse the Court of Appeals and hold the community custody condition prohibiting Norris from entering any "sex-related business" is crime related.”
Show all 239 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(1) — 8 cases
State v. Garnica, 105 Wash. App. 762 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001).
State v. Garnica, 20 P.3d 1069 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001).
State v. O'Brien, 115 Wash. App. 599 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
State v. O'Connor, 81 P.3d 161 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
State v. O'BRIEN, 63 P.3d 181 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(10) — 1 case
State Of Washington, Respondent-cross App V. Jeffrey M. Snyder, Appellant-cross Resp (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(2) — 12 cases
City of Tacoma v. State, 816 P.2d 7 (Wash. 1991). “For example, it altered the definition of domestic violence and added four new crimes to the list contained in RCW 10.99.020. The act now mandates arrest when an officer has probable cause to believe that a domestic violence crime has been committed.”
State v. Schmidt, 23 P.3d 462 (Wash. 2001).
Gurno v. Town of LaConner, 828 P.2d 49 (Wash. Ct. App. 1992).
State v. O'Brien, 115 Wash. App. 599 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
State v. O'Connor, 81 P.3d 161 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(2)(a) — 1 case
Gurno v. Town of LaConner, 828 P.2d 49 (Wash. Ct. App. 1992).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(2)(b) — 1 case
State v. Madrid, 192 P.3d 909 (Wash. Ct. App. 2008).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(3) — 50 cases
State Of Washington v. Adrian Munoz Rivera, 361 P.3d 182 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “RCW 10.99.020(3) (emphasis added). Here, it is undisputed that K.”
State v. Goodman, 30 P.3d 516 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001).
State v. Goodman, 108 Wash. App. 355 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001).
State v. Blakely, 111 Wash. App. 851 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002).
State v. Clowes, 104 Wash. App. 935 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(3)(a) — 1 case
State Of Washington, V Anthony Eugene Whitfield (Wash. Ct. App. 2018).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(3)(d) — 2 cases
State v. Breitung, 155 Wash. App. 606 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010).
State v. Breitung, 230 P.3d 614 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(3)(m) — 4 cases
State v. Coria, 48 P.3d 980 (Wash. 2002).
State v. O'Connor, 81 P.3d 161 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
State v. Coria, 48 P.3d 980 (Wash. 2002).
State v. O'connor, 81 P.3d 161 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(3)(r) — 3 cases
State v. Stinton, 121 Wash. App. 569 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “Former RCW 10.99.020(3)(r) (2002); 4 former 9A.46.”
State v. Stinton, 89 P.3d 717 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
In re the Pers. Restraint of Washington, 106 P.3d 763 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(3)(s) — 2 cases
State v. Chapman, 140 Wash. 2d 436 (Wash. 2000).
State v. Chapman, 998 P.2d 282 (Wash. 2000).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(3)(u) — 2 cases
State v. Stinton, 121 Wash. App. 569 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “Former RCW 10.99.020(3)(r) (2002); 4 former 9A.46.”
State v. Stinton, 89 P.3d 717 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(3)(v) — 2 cases
State v. Zatkovich, 113 Wash. App. 70 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). “535(2)(h) prescribes domestic violence, plus one of three alternative factors, as an aggravating circumstance justifying an exceptional sentence: The current offense involved domestic violence, as defined in RCW 10.99.020, and one or more of the following was present: (i) The…”
State v. Zatkovich, 52 P.3d 36 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(4) — 15 cases
State v. Abdi-Issa, 504 P.3d 223 (Wash. 2022). “205 and sought a domestic violence designation under RCW 10.99.020 and RCW 9A.36.041(4). The State also charged two sentencing aggravators: (1) that the crime had a destructive and foreseeable impact on persons other than the victim under RCW 9.”
State v. Hai Minh Nguyen, 425 P.3d 847 (Wash. 2018). “Additionally, we reverse the Court of Appeals and hold the community custody condition prohibiting Norris from entering any "sex-related business" is crime related.”
State Of Washington, V. Ronald Jeffrey Gunter (Wash. Ct. App. 2023).
State of Washington v. Jose Agustin Sanchez (Wash. Ct. App. 2024).
State of Washington v. Gordon Lee McVay (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(4)(b) — 4 cases
State v. Abdi-Issa, 504 P.3d 223 (Wash. 2022). “205 and sought a domestic violence designation under RCW 10.99.020 and RCW 9A.36.041(4). The State also charged two sentencing aggravators: (1) that the crime had a destructive and foreseeable impact on persons other than the victim under RCW 9.”
State of Washington v. Jose Agustin Sanchez (Wash. Ct. App. 2024).
State of Washington v. Gordon Lee McVay (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
State of Washington v. Darius T. Hammond (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(4)(b)(vii) — 1 case
State of Washington v. Jose Agustin Sanchez (Wash. Ct. App. 2024).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(4)(iii) — 1 case
State Of Washington, V. Lashonne Nicole Davis (Wash. Ct. App. 2023).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(4)(iv) — 1 case
State of Washington v. Veniamin Zimin (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(4)(xxi) — 1 case
State of Washington v. Mark Earl Kieffer (Wash. Ct. App. 2024).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(5) — 39 cases
State Of Washington v. Adrian Munoz Rivera, 361 P.3d 182 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “RCW 10.99.020(3) (emphasis added). Here, it is undisputed that K.”
State Of Washington, Resp. v. Christopher Hood, App., 382 P.3d 710 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Kozey, 334 P.3d 1170 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “030(20) as conjunctively incorporating the definitions of “domestic violence” found in RCW 10.99.020 and RCW 26.50.010. Agreeing with the State, we reverse and remand for resentencing consistent with a disjunctive interpretation of the definition of “domestic violence” in RCW 9.”
State v. Nelson, 131 Wash. App. 108 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).
State v. Nelson, 125 P.3d 1008 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(5)(a) — 2 cases
State v. Moreno, 294 P.3d 812 (Wash. Ct. App. 2013).
State of Washington v. Jeremiah James Hodgins, 190 Wash. App. 437 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(5)(b) — 3 cases
State Of Washington v. John A. Holcomb (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).
State Of Washington v. Anthony Stephen Aquiningoc (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).
State Of Washington v. Anthony Howard Patton, Jr. (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(5)(d) — 7 cases
State v. Breitung, 155 Wash. App. 606 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010).
State v. Owens, 324 P.3d 757 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).
State v. Breitung, 230 P.3d 614 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010).
In re the Pers. Restraint of Silas, 135 Wash. App. 564 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).
In Re Pers. Restraint Petition of Silas, 145 P.3d 1219 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(5)(g) — 1 case
State Of Washington v. Andre R. Sargent (Wash. Ct. App. 2019).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(5)(j) — 1 case
In re the Pers. Restraint of Washington, 106 P.3d 763 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(5)(r) — 12 cases
State v. Stinton, 121 Wash. App. 569 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “Former RCW 10.99.020(3)(r) (2002); 4 former 9A.46.”
State v. Rodriguez, 335 P.3d 448 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014).
State v. Stinton, 89 P.3d 717 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
State v. Kozey, 334 P.3d 1170 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “030(20) as conjunctively incorporating the definitions of “domestic violence” found in RCW 10.99.020 and RCW 26.50.010. Agreeing with the State, we reverse and remand for resentencing consistent with a disjunctive interpretation of the definition of “domestic violence” in RCW 9.”
State v. Shuffelen, 208 P.3d 1167 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(5)(t) — 1 case
State Of Washington v. Elliott Rudolph (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(5)(u) — 2 cases
State v. Stinton, 121 Wash. App. 569 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). “Former RCW 10.99.020(3)(r) (2002); 4 former 9A.46.”
State v. Stinton, 89 P.3d 717 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(6) — 1 case
State Of Washington v. Jeremiah Petlig (Wash. Ct. App. 2020).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(7) — 3 cases
State Of Washington, V. Roger K. Woodard (Wash. Ct. App. 2023).
State Of Washington, V. Karis Miles (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
State of Washington v. John Louis Vassallo Jr. (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(7)(a) — 1 case
State of Washington v. John Louis Vassallo Jr. (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(7)(c) — 1 case
State Of Washington, V. Lashonne Nicole Davis (Wash. Ct. App. 2023).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(8) — 5 cases
State Of Washington v. Adrian Munoz Rivera, 361 P.3d 182 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “RCW 10.99.020(3) (emphasis added). Here, it is undisputed that K.”
State v. Abdi-Issa, 504 P.3d 223 (Wash. 2022). “205 and sought a domestic violence designation under RCW 10.99.020 and RCW 9A.36.041(4). The State also charged two sentencing aggravators: (1) that the crime had a destructive and foreseeable impact on persons other than the victim under RCW 9.”
State Of Washington, V Cynthia Sue Miller (Wash. Ct. App. 2019).
State of Washington v. Russell Louis Rust (Wash. Ct. App. 2024).
State of Washington v. Gordon Lee McVay (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(8)(a) — 1 case
Miller v. Thurston Cnty. (W.D. Wash. 2024).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(8)(c) — 1 case
State of Washington v. Gordon Lee McVay (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(8)(f) — 1 case
State of Washington v. Darius T. Hammond (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 10.99.020(iv) — 1 case
Miller v. Thurston Cnty. (W.D. Wash. 2024).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.