Wash. Rev. Code » Title 9A · Chapter 9A.84
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.84.020 (2026)

Failure to disperse

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) A person is guilty of failure to disperse if:
(a) He or she congregates with a group of three or more other persons and there are acts of conduct within that group which create a substantial risk of causing injury to any person, or substantial harm to property; and
(b) He or she refuses or fails to disperse when ordered to do so by a peace officer or other public servant engaged in enforcing or executing the law.
(2) Failure to disperse is a misdemeanor.
[ 2011 c 336 s 410; 1975 1st ex.s. c 260 s 9A.84.020.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1979–2024 · leading case: City of Chicago v. Morales, 527 U.S. 41 (1999).
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City of Chicago v. Morales, 527 U.S. 41 (1999). · cites it 2× “5, § 4022 (1997); Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.84.020 (1994); W. Va.”
State v. Eaton, 229 P.3d 704 (Wash. 2010). “030 (refusing to summon aid for a peace officer); RCW 9A.84.020 (failure to disperse). Importantly, under these crimes, it is the defendant's choice not to act that renders him criminally liable.”
State v. Eaton, 168 Wash. 2d 476 (Wash. 2010). “030 (refusing to summon aid for a peace officer); RCW 9A.84.020 (failure to disperse). Importantly, under these crimes, it is the defendant’s choice not to act that renders him criminally liable.”
Orin v. Barclay, 272 F.3d 1207 (9th Cir. 2001). “” Wash. Rev.Code § 9A.84.020(1) (2001) (emphasis added).”
State v. Stephens, 591 P.2d 827 (Wash. Ct. App. 1979). “020 (obstructing a public servant); "remaining after warning," which is replaced by RCW 9A.84.020 (failure to disperse); "injury to property," which is replaced by RCW 9A.”
Cheairs v. City of Seattle (W.D. Wash. 2024). · cites it 6× “1971) (interpreting the predecessor 11 to Section 9A.84.020) (quoting Cantwell, 310 U.”
Gulliford v. Thrash, 8 F. App'x 766 (9th Cir. 2001). “10, which allowed the jury to find probable cause to arrest Gulliford for failure to disperse, an offense under Wash. Rev.Code § 9A.84.020. At the first trial, the district court instructed the jury that they should determine whether Thrash had probable cause to arrest for…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.84.020(1) — 2 cases
Orin v. Barclay, 272 F.3d 1207 (9th Cir. 2001). “” Wash. Rev.Code § 9A.84.020(1) (2001) (emphasis added).”
Cheairs v. City of Seattle (W.D. Wash. 2024). “1971) (interpreting the predecessor 11 to Section 9A.84.020) (quoting Cantwell, 310 U.”
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