Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9A · Chapter 9A.16
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.16.010 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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In this chapter, unless a different meaning is plainly required:
(1) "Necessary" means that no reasonably effective alternative to the use of force appeared to exist and that the amount of force used was reasonable to effect the lawful purpose intended.
(2) "Deadly force" means the intentional application of force through the use of firearms or any other means reasonably likely to cause death or serious physical injury.
[ 1986 c 209 s 1; 1975 1st ex.s. c 260 s 9A.16.010.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 25 cases (10 in the last 5 years), 1979–2026 · leading case: State v. Brightman, 122 P.3d 150 (Wash. 2005).
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State v. Brightman, 122 P.3d 150 (Wash. 2005). · cites it 3× “050(2) to apply to a slayer who kills another person when the slayer is actually resisting the other person's attempt to commit a felony against the slayer, and the force the slayer intends to use is not more than necessary. " (emphasis added)). ¶ 29 Justifiable homicide, and…”
State v. Brightman, 155 Wash. 2d 506 (Wash. 2005). “RCW 9A.16.010(1). ¶32 The Nyland, Griffith, Brenner, and Castro cases support a conclusion that a justifiable homicide instruction based on either .”
State v. Talley, 858 P.2d 217 (Wash. 2005). “In the defenses chapter of the Washington Criminal Code, RCW 9A.16.010, "necessary" is defined as meaning no "reasonably" effective alternative to force exists and the force used is "reasonable".”
State v. Pottorff, 156 P.3d 955 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “" RCW 9A.16.010(1). The dictionary meaning of "necessary" is "that cannot be done without" or "essential.”
State v. Pottorff, 138 Wash. App. 343 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “” RCW 9A.16.010(1). The dictionary meaning of “necessary” is “that cannot be done without” or “essential.”
People v. Vasquez, 148 P.3d 326 (Colo. Ct. App. 2006). “13, § 3251 (7) (2005) (defining “deadly force” as “physical force which a person uses with the intent of causing, or which the person knows or should have known would create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily injury”); Wash. Rev.Code § 9A.16.010(2) (2005)…”
State v. Fischer, 598 P.2d 742 (Wash. Ct. App. 1979). “Necessary means that no reasonably effective alternative to the use of force appeared to exist and that the *759 amount of force used was reasonable to effect the lawful purpose intended.”
City of Pasco v. Ross, 694 P.2d 37 (Wash. Ct. App. 1985). “030 provides: "It is unlawful for *483 any person to wilfully use force or violence against the person of another except in self-defense." Thus, a crime is committed under this ordinance when the defendant: (1) uses force or violence against another; (2) acts willfully; and (3)…”
State v. Majors, 919 P.2d 1258 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “For example, RCW 9A.16.010(2) defines deadly force in the context of self defense as "the intentional application of force through the use of firearms or any other means reasonably likely to cause death or serious physical injury.”
Pers. Restraint Petition of Aleksandr v. Pavlik (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “See RCW 9A.16.010(2) ("Deadly force" is "the intentional application of force through the use of firearms or any other means reasonably likely to cause death or serious physical injury.”
State Of Washington, App/cross-resp v. Kamuran Daniel Chabuk, Resp/cross-app (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “” RCW 9A.16.010(1). The State has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the absence of self-defense.”
In the Matter of the Pers. Restraint of Oscar Alfred Alden (Wash. Ct. App. 2020). ““Necessary” is defined for purposes of chapter 9A.16 RCW to mean “that no reasonably effective alternative to the use of force appeared to 16 No.”
Show all 25 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.16.010(1) — 16 cases
State v. Brightman, 122 P.3d 150 (Wash. 2005). “050(2) to apply to a slayer who kills another person when the slayer is actually resisting the other person's attempt to commit a felony against the slayer, and the force the slayer intends to use is not more than necessary. " (emphasis added)). ¶ 29 Justifiable homicide, and…”
State v. Brightman, 155 Wash. 2d 506 (Wash. 2005). “RCW 9A.16.010(1). ¶32 The Nyland, Griffith, Brenner, and Castro cases support a conclusion that a justifiable homicide instruction based on either .”
State v. Pottorff, 156 P.3d 955 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “" RCW 9A.16.010(1). The dictionary meaning of "necessary" is "that cannot be done without" or "essential.”
State v. Pottorff, 138 Wash. App. 343 (Wash. Ct. App. 2007). “” RCW 9A.16.010(1). The dictionary meaning of “necessary” is “that cannot be done without” or “essential.”
State Of Washington, App/cross-resp v. Kamuran Daniel Chabuk, Resp/cross-app (Wash. Ct. App. 2019). “” RCW 9A.16.010(1). The State has the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the absence of self-defense.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.16.010(2) — 4 cases
People v. Vasquez, 148 P.3d 326 (Colo. Ct. App. 2006). “13, § 3251 (7) (2005) (defining “deadly force” as “physical force which a person uses with the intent of causing, or which the person knows or should have known would create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily injury”); Wash. Rev.Code § 9A.16.010(2) (2005)…”
State v. Majors, 919 P.2d 1258 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “For example, RCW 9A.16.010(2) defines deadly force in the context of self defense as "the intentional application of force through the use of firearms or any other means reasonably likely to cause death or serious physical injury.”
Pers. Restraint Petition of Aleksandr v. Pavlik (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “See RCW 9A.16.010(2) ("Deadly force" is "the intentional application of force through the use of firearms or any other means reasonably likely to cause death or serious physical injury.”
State Of Washington, V. Michael Miller (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.16.010(b) — 1 case
Petersen v. Smith (W.D. Wash. 2021).
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