Wash. Rev. Code » Title 7 · Chapter 7.69

Wash. Rev. Code § 7.69.010

Intent

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In recognition of the severe and detrimental impact of crime on victims, survivors of victims, and witnesses of crime and the civic and moral duty of victims, survivors of victims, and witnesses of crimes to fully and voluntarily cooperate with law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, and in further recognition of the continuing importance of such citizen cooperation to state and local law enforcement efforts and the general effectiveness and well-being of the criminal justice system of this state, the legislature declares its intent, in this chapter, to grant to the victims of crime and the survivors of such victims a significant role, including enhanced accessibility, in the criminal justice system. The legislature further intends to ensure that all victims and witnesses of crime are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy, and sensitivity; ensure that all victims and witnesses are afforded access to justice to participate in criminal justice proceedings, including the opportunity to participate and attend court hearings in person or remotely, including by video or other electronic means as available in the local jurisdiction; and that the rights extended in this chapter to victims, survivors of victims, and witnesses of crime are honored, protected, and upheld by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and judges in a manner no less vigorous than the protections afforded criminal defendants.
[ 2024 c 297 s 9; 1985 c 443 s 1; 1981 c 145 s 1.]

Notes:

Effective date—2024 c 297: See note following RCW 7.68.127.
Severability—1985 c 443: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1985 c 443 s 27.]
Effective date—1985 c 443: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect on July 1, 1985." [ 1985 c 443 s 28.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 26 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: State v. MacDonald
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State v. MacDonald (2015) wash · cites it 3× “RCW 7.69.010. However, these rights are not considered in a vacuum; they must be considered together with a defendant’s due process rights.”
Gaspar v. Peshastin Hi-Up Growers (2006) washctapp · cites it 4× “Gaspar cites four statutes he asserts establish a clear public policy to cooperate with law enforcement criminal investigations: RCW 7.69.010 (which states that witnesses and victims of crimes have a civic and moral duty to cooperate fully with law enforcement and prosecutors),…”
Gaspar v. Peshastin Hi-Up Growers (2006) washctapp · cites it 4× “Gaspar cites four statutes he asserts establish a clear public policy to cooperate with law enforcement criminal investigations: RCW 7.69.010 (which states that witnesses and victims of crimes have a civic and moral duty to cooperate fully with law enforcement and prosecutors);…”
Danny v. Laidlaw Transit Services, Inc. (2008) wash · cites it 2× “" RCW 7.69.010 (emphasis added). In 1996, the legislature recognized the difficulty domestic violence victims face when reporting abuse and declared it a gross misdemeanor for a domestic violence perpetrator to interfere in the victim's reporting of the abuse.”
Danny v. Laidlaw Transit Services, Inc. (2008) wash · cites it 2× “” RCW 7.69.010 (emphasis added). In 1996, the legislature recognized the difficulty domestic violence victims face when reporting abuse and declared it a gross misdemeanor for a domestic violence perpetrator to interfere in the victim’s reporting of the abuse.”
State v. Moen (1996) wash · cites it 2× “69, Crime Victims, Survivors, and Witnesses, RCW 7.69.010, and to the 1985 Pinal Legislative Report at 84, which states victims have a right to restitution in all felony cases except under extraordinary circumstances.”
Koenig v. Thurston County (2012) wash · cites it 2× “Furthermore, the legislature (RCW 7.69.010) has mandated that prosecuting attorneys vigorously protect the rights of crime victims which include the right to be treated with dignity, respect, courtesy and sensitivity.”
Gardner v. Loomis Armored, Inc. (1996) wash “RCW 7.69.010. Plaintiffs argue Gardner fits within the Act’s definition of a crime witness.”
State v. Gray (2012) wash “” RCW 7.69.010; see, e.g., Gonzalez, 168 Wn.”
State Of Washington, V. Alfonso Aguilar (2023) washctapp “RCW 7.69.010. No. 83773-7-I/2 He challenges the State’s alternative means instructions, contending that some alternatives were not proven, a violation of his right to a unanimous jury verdict.”
State v. Veliz (2013) wash “” RCW 7.69.010. The rights of victims, survivors, and witnesses to crimes *866 should be protected “in a manner no less vigorous than the protections afforded criminal defendants.”
Cecilia Burton v. City of Spokane (2021) washctapp “” RCW 7.69.010. When it comes to property seized during a criminal investigation, law enforcement will ideally cooperate with crime victims to discern what items can be returned and what should be kept for evidentiary purposes.”
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