Rendering Criminal Assistance in Washington State

Our office has successful experience representing clients charged with Rendering Criminal Assistance in Snohomish and Skagit counties, including in Everett, Lynnwood and Marysville, Washington.  Such results include dismissals and reduction of charges.  Please read below for information about these charges, and the various degrees of seriousness. If you (or someone you care about has or is) have been, or are about to be, charged with a Rendering Criminal Assistance charge, call our office at (360) 659-4950  for a free, no-pressure consultation to see how we can help.

In Washington, Rendering Criminal Assistance is divided up into three categories, or levels, of seriousness called “Degrees.” First degree is considered the most serious, Second less so, and Third degree is the least “serious” allegation.  The Washington State legislature passed a law modifying the First Degree elements, scheduled to take effect (and be applied to crimes allegedly committed after) June 10, 2010.

What is Rendering Criminal Assistance?  A person renders criminal assistance if the person, with the intent to prevent, hinder or delay the apprehension or prosecution of another person who he or she knows a) has committed a crime OR b) is being sought by law enforcement officials for commission of a crime or escape from a detention facility. The assistance can include: harboring or concealing the person, warning the person of impending discovery/apprehension, providing means of escape (money, disguise, transportation, etc.), prevents a third person from performing an act that might aid in discovery, conceals or alters (or destroys) physical evidence, or provides the person with a weapon.

Rendering Criminal Assistance in the First Degree – a person allegedly commits this crime if he or she knowingly assists a person who has committed or is being sought for murder or any Class A felony (or equivalent juvenile offense). It is a Class C felony, UNLESS the actor was a relative, in which case the crime is a gross misdemeanor. NOTE: for crimes allegedly committed on or after June 10, 2010, the actor/defendant providing the assistance must be under the age of 18 at the time of the rendered assistance.

Rendering Criminal Assistance in the Second Degree – a person allegedly commits this crime if he or she knowingly renders criminal assistance to a person who has committed (or is being sought for commission of) a Class B or Class C felony or is being sought for violation of parole, probation or community supervision. This is a gross misdemeanor. If the alleged assisting person was a relative, however, the crime is a misdemeanor.

Rendering Criminal Assistance in the Third Degree – a person allegedly commits this crime if he or she knowlingly renders criminal assistance to a person who has committed a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor. This crime is a simple misdemeanor.

RCW 9A.76.090 - Rendering Criminal Assistance in the Third Degree

(1) A person is guilty of rendering criminal assistance in the third degree if he renders criminal assistance to a person who has committed a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor.

(2) Rendering criminal assistance in the third degree is a misdemeanor.