Charges and sentences
Felony and misdemeanor classes in Washington
Washington grades felonies as Class A, B or C. Lesser crimes are gross misdemeanors (up to 364 days in jail) or misdemeanors (up to 90 days).1
Checked October 29, 2026 against Washington's own statutes, then by a second reader. General information, not legal advice.
- What makes it a felony
- In Washington, a crime is a felony if a statute calls it a felony or if the person can be sentenced to more than one year in prison. A crime is a misdemeanor if a statute calls it one or if the maximum is no more than 90 days. Every other crime is a gross misdemeanor.1
- Felony theft starts at
- More than $750How theft is graded
- When a DUI is a felony
- A DUI is a Class B felony when the person has three or more prior offenses within 15 years. Otherwise a DUI is a gross misdemeanor.2
Felony classes in Washington
From most to least serious: Class A, Class B, Class C. The sentence is the range the law allows; the judge picks within it.
| Class | Prison | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A felony | Up to lifePrison and fine can be combined. These are maximums unless another statute sets a different one. | Up to $50,000 | RCW 9A.20.021(1)(a)3 |
| Class B felony | Up to 10 yearsPrison and fine can be combined. These are maximums unless another statute sets a different one. | Up to $20,000 | RCW 9A.20.021(1)(b)3 |
| Class C felony | Up to 5 yearsPrison and fine can be combined. These are maximums unless another statute sets a different one. | Up to $10,000 | RCW 9A.20.021(1)(c)3 |
Misdemeanor classes in Washington
| Class | Jail | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross misdemeanor | Up to 364 daysJail and fine can be combined. | Up to $5,000 | RCW 9A.20.021(2)3 |
| Misdemeanor | Up to 90 daysJail and fine can be combined. | Up to $1,000 | RCW 9A.20.021(3)3 |
Good to know
The limits above are ceilings. They apply unless a statute sets a different maximum for a specific felony, and the limits for gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors apply to crimes defined in Title 9A of the state code.3
These maximums apply to crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984, and the fines apply only to adults.3
When theft is a felony in Washington
In Washington, theft of property or services worth more than $750 is a felony. From over $750 up to $5,000 it is second degree theft, a Class C felony. Over $5,000 it is first degree theft, a Class B felony. At $750 or less it is third degree theft, a gross misdemeanor. The first degree dollar tier does not cover firearms, and the second degree dollar tier does not cover firearms or motor vehicles.4
RCW 9A.56.030, 9A.56.040, 9A.56.050 · Felony theft amounts in every state
DUI in Washington
Washington's statute calls it driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, cannabis, or any drug (DUI). The limits are an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or a THC concentration of 5.00 within two hours of driving.
- Repeat offenses
- A DUI is a Class B felony when the person has three or more prior offenses within 15 years. Otherwise a DUI is a gross misdemeanor.
- Which past offenses count
- 15 years, counted by arrest dates: a prior offense counts if its arrest came within 15 years of the arrest for the new offense. The window was 10 years until January 1, 2026. Prior offenses are defined in RCW 46.61.5055.
- Other felony versions
- A DUI is also a Class B felony, no matter how long ago the earlier case was, if the person was ever convicted of vehicular homicide or vehicular assault while under the influence, an out-of-state equivalent, or an earlier felony DUI or felony physical control (being in control of a vehicle while impaired). Causing a death while driving under the influence is vehicular homicide, a Class A felony. Causing substantial bodily harm while under the influence is vehicular assault, a Class B felony.
RCW 46.61.502(5)-(6), 46.61.5055(14), 46.61.520, 46.61.5222 · Felony DUI rules in every state
After a conviction
Common questions
What is a felony in Washington?
In Washington, a crime is a felony if a statute calls it a felony or if the person can be sentenced to more than one year in prison. A crime is a misdemeanor if a statute calls it one or if the maximum is no more than 90 days. Every other crime is a gross misdemeanor.
What is a Class A felony in Washington?
In Washington, the prison range for a Class A felony is up to life, and the fine is up to $50,000. Prison and fine can be combined. These are maximums unless another statute sets a different one.
What is a Class B felony in Washington?
In Washington, the prison range for a Class B felony is up to 10 years, and the fine is up to $20,000. Prison and fine can be combined. These are maximums unless another statute sets a different one.
What is a Class C felony in Washington?
In Washington, the prison range for a Class C felony is up to 5 years, and the fine is up to $10,000. Prison and fine can be combined. These are maximums unless another statute sets a different one.
What is a gross misdemeanor in Washington?
In Washington, the jail range for a gross misdemeanor is up to 364 days, and the fine is up to $5,000. Jail and fine can be combined.
What is a misdemeanor in Washington?
In Washington, the jail range for a misdemeanor is up to 90 days, and the fine is up to $1,000. Jail and fine can be combined.
How much theft is a felony in Washington?
In Washington, theft of property or services worth more than $750 is a felony. From over $750 up to $5,000 it is second degree theft, a Class C felony. Over $5,000 it is first degree theft, a Class B felony. At $750 or less it is third degree theft, a gross misdemeanor. The first degree dollar tier does not cover firearms, and the second degree dollar tier does not cover firearms or motor vehicles.
Is a DUI a felony in Washington?
A DUI is a Class B felony when the person has three or more prior offenses within 15 years. Otherwise a DUI is a gross misdemeanor. A DUI is also a Class B felony, no matter how long ago the earlier case was, if the person was ever convicted of vehicular homicide or vehicular assault while under the influence, an out-of-state equivalent, or an earlier felony DUI or felony physical control (being in control of a vehicle while impaired). Causing a death while driving under the influence is vehicular homicide, a Class A felony. Causing substantial bodily harm while under the influence is vehicular assault, a Class B felony.
These are the general ranges in Washington's sentencing laws. A specific crime can carry its own minimum or maximum, and past convictions can raise the range. This isn't legal advice; a defense lawyer or public defender can tell you what applies to a case.
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Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "Felony and misdemeanor classes in Washington" https://secondchanceindex.com/felony-classes/washington, checked October 29, 2026.
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 29, 2026.
- RCW 9A.04.040(2)
- RCW 46.61.502(5)-(6), 46.61.5055(14), 46.61.520, 46.61.522
- RCW 9A.20.021
- RCW 9A.56.030, 9A.56.040, 9A.56.050
- RCW 9A.56.030 Theft in the first degreeWashington State Legislature
- RCW 9A.56.050 Theft in the third degreeWashington State Legislature
- RCW 46.61.5055 Alcohol and drug violators—Penalty scheduleWashington State Legislature
- RCW 9.94A.661 Drug offender sentencing alternative—Driving under the influence (effective-date note for 2024 c 306)Washington State Legislature
- Final Bill Report, ESHB 1493 (C 306 L 24), Concerning impaired drivingWashington State Legislature
- RCW 46.61.520 Vehicular homicideWashington State Legislature
- RCW 46.61.522 Vehicular assaultWashington State Legislature