Criminal Threats Laws in Washington

Washington charges threats mainly as harassment: knowingly threatening, without lawful authority, to injure someone now or later, damage another person's property, confine or restrain someone, or otherwise substantially harm their health or safety, when words or conduct (including electronic messages) put the person in reasonable fear the threat will be carried out. It is a gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days and $5,000). It becomes a class C felony (up to 5 years) if the threat is to kill, if the person has a prior harassment conviction involving the same victim or family or someone named in a no-contact order, or if the target is a criminal justice participant or election official threatened over their official duties.

Washington's rule on court-appointed lawyers: A person is indigent if he or she receives listed public assistance (such as TANF, aged/blind/disabled assistance, Medicaid, SSI, food stamps or refugee resettlement benefits), is involuntarily committed to a public mental health facility, has an annual income after taxes of one hundred twenty-five percent or less of the current federally established poverty level, or has available funds insufficient to pay any amount for counsel. A person who cannot pay the full anticipated cost of counsel but can pay part is 'indigent and able to contribute.' The court or its designee determines indigency at the first contact or as soon as feasible, using a form prescribed by the Office of Public Defense; the ability to post bond or the resources of friends or relatives (other than a non-victim spouse) cannot by themselves bar appointment, and information provided is confidential from the prosecution in the pending case. A person who is indigent and able to contribute must sign a promissory note for the contribution; the statute sets no specific fee. RCW 10.101.010(3)-(4), 10.101.020

Lawyers set their own fees, and Washington has rules on how they may charge. See hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Washington for fee rules, how to check a lawyer's license and free help.

How release before trial works in Washington: If probable cause has not been found, the accused shall be released without conditions. Any person, other than a person charged with a capital offense, shall at the preliminary appearance be ordered released on personal recognizance pending trial unless the court determines that recognizance will not reasonably assure appearance, or there is shown a likely danger that the accused will commit a violent crime, or intimidate or threaten a witness, victim or court employee, tamper with evidence, or violate a protection, no-contact or restraining order. If the court finds the accused is not likely to appear, it must impose the least restrictive conditions that will reasonably assure appearance (such as supervision, travel restrictions, an unsecured bond, a bond with a cash deposit of not more than 10 percent of the bond amount, a surety bond or cash, or electronic monitoring). If the court requires a secured or unsecured bond, it must consider the accused's financial resources. Factors include history of response to legal process, employment and education, family ties, reputation and mental condition, length of residence, criminal record, community members willing to vouch for the accused, and the nature of the charge. On a showing of substantial danger, a bond conditioned on compliance may be imposed only if no less restrictive condition would reasonably assure community safety. Wash. Superior Court Criminal Rule CrR 3.2 (amended effective December 23, 2025) What happens after an arrest.

Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Washington expungement and record sealing rules.