First Degree Felony in Washington

In Washington, felony offenses are governed by the state's felony laws, outlined in Title 9A of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). The legal system considers felony offenses the most severe violations of the law. The plea bargain, bail, or restitution conditions are much more stringent with felony criminal charges. Also, felony cases are exclusively decided in superior courts.

Washington’s felony sentencing structure uses a three-class system: Class A, Class B, and Class C felonies. The severity of the crime determines its category, which in turn decides the standard and maximum punishments that may be applied in accordance with the law.

Class A felonies are the most serious types of crime. Examples of this include first-degree murder, first-degree rape, arson leading to severe damage, homicide resulting from child abuse, and first-degree assault with a deadly weapon. These crimes attract the harshest penalties, including heavy fines of up to $50,000 and long prison sentences. Sometimes, the perpetrators may have to spend the rest of their lives behind bars with or without parole. But Washington stops short of administering the death penalty.

Adjudication of class A felonies takes into consideration the extent of damage and the individual's criminal record. For instance, per RCW 9A.32.030, an individual commits first-degree murder when they have a premeditated intention to kill someone else or cause their death for whatever reason. Per RCW 9A.36.011, first-degree assault is also a Class A felony.

Class B felonies carry moderate penalties of up to 10 years behind bars and/ or fines up to $20,000. Class C felonies are the least serious felonies. Penalties for these offenses include up to 5 years behind bars and/or fines worth $10,000.

Public Access to First Degree Felony Records in Washington

Under RCW 10.97.050, conviction records, including first-degree felony records, are deemed public. Therefore, interested parties may copy and view criminal history records showing convictions without restriction. Similarly, interested parties may access information about arrests for felonies less than one year old with pending dispositions. However, non-conviction data may only be viewed but not copied.

There are different ways to access first-degree felony records. These include online, by mail, or in-person visits. However, some records are not publicly available, including records about juveniles and records that have been sealed by the court. Interested parties may access public felony records using a variety of options.

Common Crimes Classified as Class A (First Degree) Felonies in Washington

When an offender is arrested and booked, the charges brought against them depend on the crime and the factors surrounding the criminal act. These include the individual’s conviction record and the extent of damage caused. In addition, the court considers the aggravating and mitigating factors. Aggravating circumstances are the factors that could make a crime more dangerous, such as the use of firearms and racial or hate motivation. On the other hand, mitigating circumstances may reduce the severity of the punishment, such as acting under distress or having a clean criminal record. In 2024, Washington had 18,064 incidents of aggravated assault.

Some crimes commonly charged as Class A felonies include first-degree murder. Per RCW 9A.32.030, an offender commits first-degree murder when they premeditated and carried out the action of killing someone else or facilitating their death for whatever reason. Particularly when under the circumstances, they showed extreme indifference to human life and engaged in conduct that constituted a grave risk of death. Per RCW 9A.36.011, first-degree assault is also charged as a Class A felony.

According to RCW 9A.56.200, first-degree robbery occurs when an offender commits robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, brandishing a firearm or deadly weapon, inflicting bodily injury, or committing robbery within a financial institution.

Prison Sentences and Fines for First Degree Felonies in Washington

In Washington, Class A felony offenses are the most serious. They are extreme cases of violence, causing severe bodily damage. The fines for Class A felonies range from $20,000 to $50,000. However, the penalty for first-degree murder is life imprisonment without parole. Other Class A felonies in Washington are first and second degree murder, first and second degree rape, first degree robbery, first degree assault, and homicide. The punishment for felonies is often stipulated in the criminal statutes. When it is not directly stated in the law, the judge may apply discretion after considering the circumstances surrounding the incident and the suspect's conviction record.

Furthermore, sentencing depends on the level of bodily damage. If the prosecution can prove that there is evidence of total disregard for the value of life, and the individual is a repeat offender, the maximum sentence is applied. Moreover, the three-strikes rule comes into play for repeat offenders. Per RCW 9.94A.570, for a third felony conviction, the individual is sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

What is the Maximum Sentence for a Class A (First Degree) Degree Felony in Washington?

Class A felonies are non-trivial. Under the Washington Revised Code 9A.20.021, the maximum penalty for class A felonies is life imprisonment and/or a fine of $50,000. However, standard sentencing is based on the state's sentencing structure. Therefore, the sentence depends on the severity of the crime and the offender's criminal history score. Also, aggravated first-degree murder carries a standard sentencing of life imprisonment without parole, that is, “life without mercy”.

For first-degree assault, the standard sentencing is 8 to 10 years for an offender with no criminal history. If the offender has more than nine criminal history points, the jail time increases to 20 to 26 years. Similarly, for first-degree murder, the standard sentencing is 20 to 30 years in prison, and the maximum is life imprisonment. Certain aggravating factors, such as racism, crimes motivated by sexual orientation, and the use of lethal weapons, may increase the penalties.

What is First Degree Murder in Washington?

First-degree murder is the most serious form of homicide in the state. It is categorized as a Class A felony. The standard penalty for first-degree murder is 20 to 30 years in prison, while the minimum sentence could grant the individual the possibility of parole after 15 years.

However, aggravated first-degree murder is treated separately. The maximum sentencing of life imprisonment without parole is applied, or “life without mercy”. Washington does not apply the death penalty. Per Washington Revised Code 9A.32.030, there are three circumstances under which an individual may be charged with first-degree murder.

An individual is guilty of first-degree murder when:

• They had a premeditated intent to cause the death of another person
• They demonstrated extreme indifference to the value of life
• In an attempt to commit a felony offense, such as robbery, rape, arson, or kidnapping, someone died in the process.

Can First Degree Felony Records Be Sealed or Expunged in Washington?

Under Washington Courts General Rules 15, an individual may have their conviction records sealed or vacated. In Washington, the term “expungement” means deletion of non-conviction data, such as arrests that never got to court or cases dismissed in court.

A Washington court may decide to vacate a conviction if the individual meets the requirements and files for the vacation of the conviction. However, such privilege is reserved for eligible cases. If granted, the individual is no longer considered convicted of the crime. Therefore, they may legally state that they have not been convicted.

However, under RCW 9.94A.640, a Class A felony conviction in Washington cannot be vacated under any circumstances. The law specifically exempts Class A felonies from eligibility for vacation. Generally, any violent felony offense is typically not eligible for vacation. These include manslaughter, assault, kidnapping, drive-by shooting, and sex crimes involving minors.

The court may only vacate non-violent Class B and Class C felonies under certain conditions. To be eligible for vacation of a Class B felony, individuals must:

• Present a certificate of discharge filed under RCW 9.94A.637
• Have no pending criminal charges
• Have fulfilled the mandatory waiting period of 10 years after completing their sentence.
• Have no new convictions for a period of 10 years

The requirements for Class C felonies are similar, but the waiting period is reduced to 5 years.

Difference Between First Degree and Second Degree Felonies in Washington

Class A felonies are the most severe category of crimes in Washington. Consequently, they attract the harshest penalties. They include first and second degree murder, rape, and assault with a lethal weapon. They typically attract a fine of $50,000 and up to life imprisonment.

Class B felonies are not as severe as Class A felonies, but may still lead to lengthy jail terms. They include manslaughter, burglary, vehicular homicide, and stalking in violation of a restraining order. They typically attract a fine of up to $20,000 and 10 years imprisonment.

Statute of Limitations for Class A (First Degree) Felony Charges in Washington

In Washington, the statute of limitations sets the timeframe within which the state may prosecute defendants. The standard criminal statute of limitations for felonies is 3 years. However, most offenses categorized as Class A felonies have no statute of limitations.

For instance, murder, homicide by abuse, vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, and first-degree rape may be prosecuted any time after they were committed. Arson in which there was no death has a 10-year limit.

For most Class B and C felonies, the court may grant an extended time to prosecute beyond the standard time of 3 years. As long as charges have been filed within the limitation period, the case remains open until it is resolved. In general, the severity of the crime determines the length of the statute of limitations. However, for certain crimes like child molestation and homicide, there is no time limit on prosecution.

Probation and Parole Eligibility for First Degree Felonies in Washington

Under RCW 72.04A, individuals convicted of felony offenses particularly class A felonies are not eligible for probation. Instead, they may be granted community custody. This is a supervised release which may be granted in addition to, or instead of incarceration. The privilege of probation is reserved for less serious offenses such as misdemeanors.

Washington abolished discretionary parole when it adopted the determinate sentencing structure to prevent confusion. Individuals sentenced during the old indeterminate sentencing system before July 1984 may be eligible for parole. Otherwise, parole is not an option except in limited cases.

Impact of a Class A (First Degree) Felony Conviction on Criminal Records in Washington

The impact of a first-degree felony conviction can remain with an individual for the rest of their life. The repercussions can have ripple effects that extend beyond the immediate consequences of fines and incarceration. To learn more about the identity and character of new employees, many employers conduct background checks on new hires. Any individual with a felony conviction would have a difficult time scaling those background checks. Moreover, some sensitive sectors of the industry, such as healthcare and education, have strict rules about hiring individuals with past criminal records.

Furthermore, many licensing boards have a review process that involves criminal history checks. A first-degree felony conviction may be grounds for denial or rejection. Also, convicted felons tend to have a difficult time securing housing, as most landlords would rather not rent to individuals with a felony record. Moreover, offenders may lose some civil rights, including the right to vote, serve on a jury, or have a license to own firearms. The only way to legally avoid these consequences is by sealing or setting aside a criminal record.