Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9A · Chapter 9A.56
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.56.063 (2025)

Making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools

✓ laws through the 2025 session: 2026 session laws are not yet included
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(1) Any person who makes or mends, or causes to be made or mended, uses, or has in his or her possession any motor vehicle theft tool, that is adapted, designed, or commonly used for the commission of motor vehicle related theft, under circumstances evincing an intent to use or employ, or allow the same to be used or employed, in the commission of motor vehicle theft, or knowing that the same is intended to be so used, is guilty of making or having motor vehicle theft tools.
(2) For the purpose of this section, motor vehicle theft tool includes, but is not limited to, the following: Slim jim, false master key, master purpose key, altered or shaved key, trial or jiggler key, slide hammer, lock puller, picklock, bit, nipper, any other implement shown by facts and circumstances that is intended to be used in the commission of a motor vehicle related theft, or knowing that the same is intended to be so used.
(3) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(a) "False master" or "master key" is any key or other device made or altered to fit locks or ignitions of multiple vehicles, or vehicles other than that for which the key was originally manufactured.
(b) "Altered or shaved key" is any key so altered, by cutting, filing, or other means, to fit multiple vehicles or vehicles other than the vehicles for which the key was originally manufactured.
(c) "Trial keys" or "jiggler keys" are keys or sets designed or altered to manipulate a vehicle locking mechanism other than the lock for which the key was originally manufactured.
(4) Making or having motor vehicle theft tools is a gross misdemeanor.
[ 2007 c 199 s 18.]

Notes:

Findings—Intent—Short title—2007 c 199: See notes following RCW 9A.56.065.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2014–2021 · leading case: State v. Larson, 365 P.3d 740 (Wash. 2015).
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State v. Larson, 365 P.3d 740 (Wash. 2015). “RCW 9A.56.063(1). Similarly, a “deadly weapon” under RCW 9A.”
State v. Reeves, 336 P.3d 105 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “The legislature adopted identical language when defining motor vehicle theft tools in RCW 9A.56.063(1). If the legislature had intended to criminalize the possession of any device a defendant used to overcome security systems, it could have included similar broad language in…”
State of Washington v. Christopher Bacon, 481 P.3d 1120 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 3× “We hold that mens rea is an essential element of making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools under RCW 9A.56.063(1), reverse the challenged conviction, and dismiss it without prejudice.”
State Of Washington v. Brian Edward Turner, No. 71962-9 (Wash. Ct. App. Aug. 11, 2014). · cites it 2× “RCW 9A.56.063 provides, in pertinent part: (1) Any person who makes or mends, or causes to be made or mended, uses, or has in his or her possession any motor vehicle theft tool, that is adapted, designed, or commonly used for the commission of motor vehicle related theft, under…”
State Of Washington v. Zackary Allen Brame, No. 48226-6 (Wash. Ct. App. Dec. 28, 2016). “2 RCW 9A.56.063. Brame was also charged with felony harassment.”
State Of Washington v. Chad Wayne Hurn, No. 71813-4 (Wash. Ct. App. Dec. 7, 2015). “in the commission of motor vehicle theft, or knowing that the same is intended to be so used." RCW 9A.56.”
State v. Larson, No. 91457-5 (Wash. Dec. 24, 2015). “RCW 9A.56.063(1). Similarly, a "deadly weapon" under RCW 9A.”
Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.56.063(1): 6 cases
State v. Larson, 365 P.3d 740 (Wash. 2015). “RCW 9A.56.063(1). Similarly, a “deadly weapon” under RCW 9A.”
State v. Reeves, 336 P.3d 105 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “The legislature adopted identical language when defining motor vehicle theft tools in RCW 9A.56.063(1). If the legislature had intended to criminalize the possession of any device a defendant used to overcome security systems, it could have included similar broad language in…”
State of Washington v. Christopher Bacon, 481 P.3d 1120 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “We hold that mens rea is an essential element of making or possessing motor vehicle theft tools under RCW 9A.56.063(1), reverse the challenged conviction, and dismiss it without prejudice.”
State Of Washington v. Brian Edward Turner, No. 71962-9 (Wash. Ct. App. Aug. 11, 2014). “RCW 9A.56.063 provides, in pertinent part: (1) Any person who makes or mends, or causes to be made or mended, uses, or has in his or her possession any motor vehicle theft tool, that is adapted, designed, or commonly used for the commission of motor vehicle related theft, under…”
State Of Washington v. Chad Wayne Hurn, No. 71813-4 (Wash. Ct. App. Dec. 7, 2015). “in the commission of motor vehicle theft, or knowing that the same is intended to be so used." RCW 9A.56.”
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