Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9A · Chapter 9A.20
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.010 (2026)

Classification and designation of crimes

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Classified Felonies. (a) The particular classification of each felony defined in Title 9A RCW is expressly designated in the section defining it.
(b) For purposes of sentencing, classified felonies are designated as one of three classes, as follows:
(i) Class A felony; or
(ii) Class B felony; or
(iii) Class C felony.
(2) Misdemeanors and Gross Misdemeanors. (a) Any crime punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than ninety days, or by both such fine and imprisonment is a misdemeanor. Whenever the performance of any act is prohibited by any statute, and no penalty for the violation of such statute is imposed, the committing of such act shall be a misdemeanor.
(b) All crimes other than felonies and misdemeanors are gross misdemeanors.
[ 1984 c 258 s 808; 1975 1st ex.s. c 260 s 9A.20.010.]

Notes:

Court Improvement Act of 1984—Effective dates—Severability—Short title—1984 c 258: See notes following RCW 3.30.010.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1981–2025 · leading case: United States v. Hammoud, 381 F.3d 316 (4th Cir. 2004).
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United States v. Hammoud, 381 F.3d 316 (4th Cir. 2004). “For crimes committed after July 1, 1984, Washington statutory law provides a maximum term of imprisonment of life for Class A felonies, a maximum sentence of ten years for Class B felonies, and a maximum sentence of five years for Class C felonies. See id. § 9A.20.”
City of Pasco v. MacE, 653 P.2d 618 (Wash. 1983). · cites it 2× “RCW 9A.20.010. From this it is apparent that the definition of a misdemeanor has remained substantially the same as it was when the constitution was adopted.”
State Of Washington v. Esteban Joel Flores, 374 P.3d 222 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 4× “RCW 9A.20.010(2)(a) (emphasis added). In turn, RCW 9A-.”
Schilling v. Radio Holdings, Inc., 961 P.2d 371 (Wash. 1998). “See RCW 9A.20.010(2) (defining misdemeanor as an offense for which "imprisonment in a county jail" is possible).”
Schilling v. Radio Holdings, Inc., 136 Wash. 2d 152 (Wash. 1998). “See RCW 9A.20.010(2) (defining misdemeanor as an offense for which “imprisonment in a county jail” is possible).”
In Re Dependency of AK, 174 P.3d 11 (Wash. 2007). “Category D offenses are punishable by confinement in a juvenile detention facility for up to 30 days, up to 12 months' community supervision, up to 150 hours' community restitution and/or a fine up to $500.”
In re the Dependency of A.K., 162 Wash. 2d 632 (Wash. 2007). “Category D offenses are punishable by confinement in a juvenile detention facility for up to 30 days, up to 12 months’ community supervision, up to 150 hours’ community restitution, and/or a fine of up to $500.”
Prostov v. Dep't of Licensing, 349 P.3d 874 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “of Appellant at 12. He also argues that because the department “alleged” that he “ ‘committed’ criminal statutory fraud,” it must prove this misdemeanor allegation based on the beyond a reasonable doubt standard applicable in a criminal case.”
State v. Cyr, 461 P.3d 360 (Wash. 2020). “RCW 9A.20.010(1)(b). As noted above, selling a controlled substance for profit is explicitly defined as a class C felony.”
State v. Guttierrez, 961 P.2d 974 (Wash. Ct. App. 1998). “8 See RCW 9A.20.010. 9 See Lutheran Day Care v.”
State v. Kersteter, 632 P.2d 897 (Wash. Ct. App. 1981). “On June 28, 1979, defendant was served with a citation for DWI, a gross misdemeanor (RCW 9A.20.010(2)(b)), and the matter was filed in Clark County District Court.”
State v. Britton, 925 P.2d 1295 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “” 4 In 1975, the Legislature enacted RCW 9A.20.010 and .020, which classified crimes for purposes of sentencing.”
Show all 16 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.010(1)(b) — 1 case
State v. Cyr, 461 P.3d 360 (Wash. 2020). “RCW 9A.20.010(1)(b). As noted above, selling a controlled substance for profit is explicitly defined as a class C felony.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.010(2) — 4 cases
Schilling v. Radio Holdings, Inc., 961 P.2d 371 (Wash. 1998). “See RCW 9A.20.010(2) (defining misdemeanor as an offense for which "imprisonment in a county jail" is possible).”
Schilling v. Radio Holdings, Inc., 136 Wash. 2d 152 (Wash. 1998). “See RCW 9A.20.010(2) (defining misdemeanor as an offense for which “imprisonment in a county jail” is possible).”
Hall v. Walgreens Boots All., Inc. (Wash. 2025).
Hall v. Walgreens Boots All., Inc. (Wash. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.010(2)(a) — 2 cases
State Of Washington v. Esteban Joel Flores, 374 P.3d 222 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “RCW 9A.20.010(2)(a) (emphasis added). In turn, RCW 9A-.”
State Of Washington, V Raymond J. Femling (Wash. Ct. App. 2024).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.010(2)(b) — 3 cases
In Re Dependency of AK, 174 P.3d 11 (Wash. 2007). “Category D offenses are punishable by confinement in a juvenile detention facility for up to 30 days, up to 12 months' community supervision, up to 150 hours' community restitution and/or a fine up to $500.”
In re the Dependency of A.K., 162 Wash. 2d 632 (Wash. 2007). “Category D offenses are punishable by confinement in a juvenile detention facility for up to 30 days, up to 12 months’ community supervision, up to 150 hours’ community restitution, and/or a fine of up to $500.”
State v. Kersteter, 632 P.2d 897 (Wash. Ct. App. 1981). “On June 28, 1979, defendant was served with a citation for DWI, a gross misdemeanor (RCW 9A.20.010(2)(b)), and the matter was filed in Clark County District Court.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.010(b) — 1 case
United States v. Hammoud, 381 F.3d 316 (4th Cir. 2004). “For crimes committed after July 1, 1984, Washington statutory law provides a maximum term of imprisonment of life for Class A felonies, a maximum sentence of ten years for Class B felonies, and a maximum sentence of five years for Class C felonies. See id. § 9A.20.”
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