Violent Crime Defense in Washington

This page covers violent crime defense as it applies in Washington — the state and federal laws that govern it, filing deadlines, where to get help, and notable in-state decisions. For what violent crime defense protects generally, see the national overview.

Compiled from primary legal sourcesNot legal adviceHow we source this

Laws that govern violent crime defense in Washington

Washington state law

CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS › SENTENCING REFORM ACT OF 1981 WA 9 § 9.94A.030
Cited in 912 court decisions on this topic's terms.
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS › SENTENCING REFORM ACT OF 1981 WA 9 § 9.94A.535
Cited in 418 court decisions on this topic's terms.
JUVENILE COURTS AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS › JUVENILE JUSTICE ACT OF 1977 WA 13 § 13.40.020
Cited in 239 court decisions on this topic's terms.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE › CRIMINALLY INSANE—PROCEDURES WA 10 § 10.77.010
Cited in 55 court decisions on this topic's terms.
SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS AND ACTIONS › CRIME VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, AND WITNESSES WA 7 § 7.69.030
Cited in 25 court decisions on this topic's terms.
WASHINGTON CRIMINAL CODE › DEFENSES WA 9A § 9A.16.110
Cited in 17 court decisions on this topic's terms.

Browse all of Washington’s statutes →

Federal law

Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental individual freedoms.
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
The U.S. Code title that houses these federal statutes.
Gun Control Act of 1968
Regulates the firearms industry and firearms owners; established the federal licensing system for dealers and prohibited categories of buyers. Codified at 18 U.S.C. ch. 44.

Where to go & how to get help

Government agencies and non-profit legal-help organizations for violent crime defense in Washington.

USA.gov — Find legal aid and free legal serviceslegal aid
Official U.S. government starting point for finding free or low-cost legal help and legal-aid programs near you.
Legal Services Corporation — Get legal helplegal aid
Locate the LSC-funded legal-aid organization that serves your county for civil (non-criminal) legal problems.
American Bar Association — Free Legal Help & Lawyer Referralbar referral
Find your state or local bar association lawyer-referral service and free legal-answer programs.
USA.gov — State attorney generalagency
Find your state attorney general to file consumer-protection, civil-rights, or other complaints.

Not legal advice. State-specific statutes, deadlines and procedures are being sourced and will appear here.