Washington · Criminal & Records
The Washington Criminal Law Guide
Understanding Washington's criminal code, sentencing grid, court procedures, and key differences from other states' laws.
2026-2027 Edition · Cited to Washington law · Plain language
Paperback · $19.99
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Cited to the statute · Legal information, not legal advice
Understand a Washington criminal case from arrest to sentencing
Release and bail under CrR 3.2, charging by information, felony classes, the SRA sentencing grid, offender scores, and post-conviction options.
ABOUT THIS BOOK
An arrest turns everything upside down, for the person charged and for the family waiting for news. The court process moves quickly, and the language of first appearances, informations, and offender scores can be hard to follow.
The Washington Criminal Law Guide explains the state's criminal justice system in the order it actually unfolds. It covers the Washington Criminal Code in Title 9A RCW and the Sentencing Reform Act of 1981, which sets a standard sentence range for most felonies by plotting the seriousness level of the offense (I to XVI) against an offender score (0 to 9+).
The guide explains:
• The presumption of release on personal recognizance under CrR 3.2, and when a court may set bail or other conditions
• Why Washington prosecutors almost always charge felonies by information rather than grand jury indictment
• Class A, B, and C felony maximums, including fines of $50,000, $20,000, and $10,000
• The First-Time Offender Waiver, personal restraint petitions, and vacating convictions
Separate chapters walk through each step from arrest to reentry for both the accused person and family members or supporters, followed by real-world questions and answers, a statute index, and a toolkit of checklists, comparison tables, and questions to ask an attorney.
This guide is for anyone who wants to understand how a Washington criminal case works. Legal information, not legal advice.
WHAT’S INSIDE
- The Foundation: The Washington Criminal Code
- Classification of Crimes in Washington
- The Sentencing Reform Act (SRA) Framework
- Pretrial Procedures and Release
- Exceptions and Defenses
- Rights of Family Member or Supporter
- Step-by-step procedures from each side, with deadlines at a glance
- 22 real-world questions and answers
- Statute index, key court decisions and official forms
- Toolkit: checklists, comparison tables, glossary and common mistakes to avoid
WHY READERS TRUST THIS GUIDE
Plain language. Cited to the statute. Dated so you know it is current.
Every rule is cited to Washington law so you can verify it.
Cited, so you can check it
Every rule names the section of Washington law it comes from, so you can read the source yourself.
Plain language, no filler
Written to be read start to finish by someone with no legal training, with worked examples.
Dated and updated
Each guide carries a law-current date and new editions ship when the law changes.
Bonus toolkit
Register your book for this topic’s checklists, worksheets and starter template, as soon as they are ready.
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY
Washington criminal charges: what to know before you order.
Straight answers about what the guide is, what it covers and how it reaches you.
How does a Washington court decide on release before trial?
Washington court rules presume release on personal recognizance (CrR 3.2). The guide explains when a judge may impose bail or other conditions instead.
How is a felony sentence calculated in Washington?
Under the Sentencing Reform Act, the offense's seriousness level and the offender score meet on a grid to set a standard range. The guide explains both.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is legal information in plain language, cited to the law, so you understand your options and know what to ask. Reading it creates no attorney-client relationship.
Is it written for Washington?
Yes. This guide is written for Washington law and cites the Washington statutes and rules it relies on. If your case is in another state, choose that state's edition.
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PLEASE READ
Legal information, not legal advice. STACKED LEGAL® is a publisher, not a law firm. Buying or reading this book creates no attorney-client relationship and promises no outcome. Laws change; verify current law and talk to a licensed attorney in Washington about your situation.
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