Murder in Washington state law

Murder in Washington state law constitutes the intentional killing, under circumstances defined by law, of people within or under the jurisdiction of the U.S. state of Washington.

In the state of Washington, a person may be convicted of first-degree murder when there is a premeditated intent to cause the death of another person. Murder in the first-degree is a class A felony in the state of Washington.[1] If a person is convicted of first-degree murder, they will not receive anything lower than Natural life imprisonment.[2]

The offender can possibly get a charge of aggravated first-degree murder if he commits first-degree murder and have an aggravating circumstance, for example if he kills a public safety official, such as a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic. In this case he can receive the death penalty. However, in October 2018, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that execution could no longer be used as a penalty for any crime,.[3] and it was fully repealed in 2023 by Jay Inslee.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in the year 2020, the state had a murder rate well below the median for the entire country.[4]

Felony murder rule

In the state of Washington, the common law felony murder rule is codified at Revised Code of Washington §§ 9A.32.030(c) and 9A.32.050(b).

First degree felony murder

First degree felony murder is defined as a homicide committed by a participant against someone other than another participant, who is committing or attempting to commit (including during immediate flight from the crime) one of the following crimes: (1) robbery in the first or second degree, (2) rape in the first or second degree, (3) burglary in the first degree, (4) arson in the first or second degree, or (5) kidnapping in the first or second degree.[5]

Second degree felony murder

Second degree felony murder committed in the course of a felony not listed under first degree felony murder and in furtherance of such crime and causes the death of a person other than one of the participants.[5]

Penalties

Offense Mandatory sentence
Sentence enhancers Use of a firearm: 5 years, 10 years if subsequent conviction

Use of other deadly weapon: 2 years, 4 years if subsequent conviction Sexual motivation: 2 years, 4 years if subsequent conviction

Second-degree manslaughter Up to 10 years in prison
First-degree manslaughter Maximum of Natural life imprisonment (6.5 to 8.5 years in prison is standard sentence without criminal record) )
Second Degree Murder Maximum of Natural life imprisonment (10-18 years is standard sentence without criminal record)
First Degree Murder Mandatory minimum of 20 years, maximum of Natural life imprisonment (20-27 years is standard sentence without criminal record)
Aggravated First Degree Murder Natural life imprisonment or the Death Penalty if the murder occurred before October 11 2018

See also

References

  1. ^ "RCW 9A.32.030: Murder in the first degree". Apps.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  2. ^ "RCW 9A.32.040: Murder in the first degree – Sentence". Apps.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  3. ^ "RCW 10.95.020: Definition". Apps.leg.wa.gov. Retrieved June 25, 2010.
  4. ^ "National Center for Health Statistics: Homicide Mortality by State". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February 16, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "RCW 9A.32.030(b)". Retrieved March 5, 2012.