FINAL BILL REPORT

2SHB 2511

C 85 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Making any robbery within a financial institution a first degree robbery.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Ballasiotes, Schoesler, Kessler, Kirby, Santos, Benson, Edwards, Kenney, Chase, Lovick, Wood and Casada).

House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Background:

Washington does not have a specific criminal statute relating to financial institution robberies with a "note only."   However, most cases of this nature, when charged in state court, are prosecuted as second-degree robbery, which is the unlawful taking of property by use or threat of force or fear of injury.  Robbery in the second degree is a seriousness level IV, class B felony.  A person with no criminal history would receive a presumptive sentencing range of three to nine months in jail.

Robbery in the first degree is the unlawful taking of property by use or threat of force or fear of injury using a deadly weapon or inflicting bodily injury.  First-degree robbery is a seriousness level IX, class A felony.  A person with no criminal history would receive a presumptive range of 31 to 41 months in prison.

Most crimes involving financial institutions are federal crimes.  Under the federal sentencing guidelines, a crime such as bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years of incarceration or a fine up to a maximum of $60,000 (excluding any exceptional circumstances or criminal offense enhancements).

Summary:

Robbery of a financial institution (with or without a deadly weapon) is classified as robbery in the first degree, a seriousness level IX, class A felony.

Financial institution means any bank, branch of a bank, state bank, trust company, national banking association, stock savings bank, mutual savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union, authorized by federal or state law to accept deposits in the state.

Votes on Final Passage:

House940

Senate470

Effective:  June 13, 2002