Wash. Rev. Code » Title 4 · Chapter 4.24
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 4.24.420 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Except in an action arising out of law enforcement activities resulting in personal injury or death, it is a complete defense to any action for damages for personal injury or wrongful death that the person injured or killed was engaged in the commission of a felony at the time of the occurrence causing the injury or death and the felony was a proximate cause of the injury or death.
(2) In an action arising out of law enforcement activities resulting in personal injury or death, it is a complete defense to the action that the finder of fact has determined beyond a reasonable doubt that the person injured or killed was engaged in the commission of a felony at the time of the occurrence causing the injury or death, the commission of which was a proximate cause of the injury or death.
(3) Nothing in this section shall affect a right of action under 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983.
[ 2021 c 325 s 1; 1987 c 212 s 901; 1986 c 305 s 501.]

Notes:

Preamble—Report to legislature—Applicability—Severability—1986 c 305: See notes following RCW 4.16.160.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 29 cases (18 in the last 5 years), 2000–2026 · leading case: Commr. Eric Watness, Apps. v. The City Of Seattle, Res., 481 P.3d 570 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).
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Commr. Eric Watness, Apps. v. The City Of Seattle, Res., 481 P.3d 570 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 16× “4 The City and the Officers asserted a number of affirmative defenses, including immunity under RCW 4.24.420, qualified immunity, assumption of risk, and discretionary immunity.”
Thomas L. Sluman v. State of Washington, 418 P.3d 125 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 4× “RCW 4.24.420 provides: It is a complete defense to any action for damages for personal injury or wrongful death that the person injured or killed was engaged in the commission of a felony at the time of the occurrence causing the injury or death and the felony was a proximate…”
Kenneth J. Haugen v. Rochelle Brosseau Puyallup Police Dep't the City of Puyallup, 351 F.3d 372 (9th Cir. 2003). “Wash. Rev. Code § 4.24.420 (2003). The district court dismissed Haugen’s state law claims because, in its view, Haugen was engaged in the commission of a felony when Brosseau shot him.”
Sina Ghodsee, V. City Of Kent, Et Ano, 508 P.3d 193 (Wash. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 4× “RCW 4.24.420 provides a “complete defense” to an action against law enforcement for personal injuries or death if the injured person “was engaged in the commission of a felony at the time.”
Est. of Lee Ex Rel. Lee v. Spokane, 2 P.3d 979 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “RCW 4.24.420. HOLDING In sum, our disposition is to: (1) affirm the summary dismissal of the 42 U.”
Est. of Lee v. City of Spokane, 101 Wash. App. 158 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “RCW 4.24.420. *178 HOLDING In sum, our disposition is to: (1) affirm the summary dismissal of the 42 U.”
Mendoza v. Rivera-Chavez, 140 Wash. 2d 659 (Wash. 2000). “See also RCW 4.24.420 (barring civil recovery by person committing felony); RCW 5.”
Mendoza v. Rivera-Chavez, 999 P.2d 29 (Wash. 2000). “See also RCW 4.24.420 (barring civil recovery by person committing felony); RCW 5.”
Barbara Anderson v. Grant Cnty. (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 25× “Grant County summary judgment dismissal, asserting complete immunity under Washington’s felony defense statute, RCW 4.24.420, and comparative fault under RCW 5.”
Anderson v. Grant Cnty. (Wash. 2026). · cites it 15× “Accordingly, we reverse the Court of Appeals and remand back to that court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. BACKGROUND In the summer leading up to this case, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office was struggling to control the flow of drugs into the county jail.”
Rose Davis v. King Cnty. (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 14× “— Washington’s felony bar statute, RCW 4.24.420, creates a complete defense to any action for damages for personal injury or wrongful death if the person injured or killed was engaged in the commission of a felony at the time of the No.”
Rose Davis v. King Cnty. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 11× “— Washington’s felony bar statute, RCW 4.24.420, creates a complete defense to any action for damages for personal injury or wrongful death if the person injured or killed was engaged in the commission of a felony at the time of the No.”
Show all 29 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 4.24.420(1) — 2 cases
Barbara Anderson v. Grant Cnty. (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). “Grant County summary judgment dismissal, asserting complete immunity under Washington’s felony defense statute, RCW 4.24.420, and comparative fault under RCW 5.”
Anderson v. Grant Cnty. (Wash. 2026). “Accordingly, we reverse the Court of Appeals and remand back to that court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. BACKGROUND In the summer leading up to this case, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office was struggling to control the flow of drugs into the county jail.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 4.24.420(2) — 2 cases
Zawacky v. Cnty. of Clark (W.D. Wash. 2024).
Stenson v. King Cnty. (W.D. Wash. 2024).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 4.24.420(3) — 1 case
Cooper v. Whatcom Cnty. (W.D. Wash. 2023).
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