2472.E AMS LAW S5440.1

 

 

 

EHB 2472 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Law & Justice

 

                                                                   

 

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

 

    "Sec. 1.  RCW 9.94A.370 and 1989 c 124 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The intersection of the column defined by the offender score and the row defined by the offense seriousness score determines the presumptive sentencing range (see RCW 9.94A.310, (Table 1)).  The additional time for deadly weapon findings or for those offenses enumerated in RCW 9.94A.310(4) that were committed in a state correctional facility or county jail shall be added to the entire presumptive sentence range.  The court may impose any sentence within the range that it deems appropriate.  All presumptive sentence ranges are expressed in terms of total confinement.

    (2) In determining any sentence, the trial court may rely on no more information than is admitted by the plea agreement, or admitted, acknowledged, or proved in a trial or at the time of sentencing.  Acknowledgement includes not objecting to information stated in the presentence reports.  Where the defendant disputes material facts, the court must either not consider the fact or grant an evidentiary hearing on the point.  The facts shall be deemed proved at the hearing by a preponderance of the evidence.  Facts that establish the elements of a more serious crime or additional crimes may not be used to go outside the presumptive sentence range except upon stipulation or when specifically provided for in RCW 9.94A.390(2) (c), (d), (f), and (((e))) (g).

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 9.94A.390 and 1995 c 316 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    If the sentencing court finds that an exceptional sentence outside the standard range should be imposed in accordance with RCW 9.94A.120(2), the sentence is subject to review only as provided for in RCW 9.94A.210(4).

    The following are illustrative factors which the court may consider in the exercise of its discretion to impose an exceptional sentence.  The following are illustrative only and are not intended to be exclusive reasons for exceptional sentences.

    (1) Mitigating Circumstances

    (a) To a significant degree, the victim was an initiator, willing participant, aggressor, or provoker of the incident.

    (b) Before detection, the defendant compensated, or made a good faith effort to compensate, the victim of the criminal conduct for any damage or injury sustained.

    (c) The defendant committed the crime under duress, coercion, threat, or compulsion insufficient to constitute a complete defense but which significantly affected his or her conduct.

    (d) The defendant, with no apparent predisposition to do so, was induced by others to participate in the crime.

    (e) The defendant's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his or her conduct or to conform his or her conduct to the requirements of the law, was significantly impaired (voluntary use of drugs or alcohol is excluded).

    (f) The offense was principally accomplished by another person and the defendant manifested extreme caution or sincere concern for the safety or well-being of the victim.

    (g) The operation of the multiple offense policy of RCW 9.94A.400 results in a presumptive sentence that is clearly excessive in light of the purpose of this chapter, as expressed in RCW 9.94A.010.

    (h) The defendant or the defendant's children suffered a continuing pattern of physical or sexual abuse by the victim of the offense and the offense is a response to that abuse.

    (2) Aggravating Circumstances

    (a) The defendant's conduct during the commission of the current offense manifested deliberate cruelty to the victim.

    (b) The defendant knew or should have known that the victim of the current offense was particularly vulnerable or incapable of resistance due to extreme youth, advanced age, disability, or ill health.

    (c) The current offense was a major economic offense or series of offenses, so identified by a consideration of any of the following factors:

    (i) The current offense involved multiple victims or multiple incidents per victim;

    (ii) The current offense involved attempted or actual monetary loss substantially greater than typical for the offense;

    (iii) The current offense involved a high degree of sophistication or planning or occurred over a lengthy period of time; or

    (iv) The defendant used his or her position of trust, confidence, or fiduciary responsibility to facilitate the commission of the current offense.

    (d) The current offense was a major violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, chapter 69.50 RCW (VUCSA), related to trafficking in controlled substances, which was more onerous than the typical offense of its statutory definition:  The presence of ANY of the following may identify a current offense as a major VUCSA:

    (i) The current offense involved at least three separate transactions in which controlled substances were sold, transferred, or possessed with intent to do so;

    (ii) The current offense involved an attempted or actual sale or transfer of controlled substances in quantities substantially larger than for personal use;

    (iii) The current offense involved the manufacture of controlled substances for use by other parties;

    (iv) The circumstances of the current offense reveal the offender to have occupied a high position in the drug distribution hierarchy;

    (v) The current offense involved a high degree of sophistication or planning or occurred over a lengthy period of time or involved a broad geographic area of disbursement; or

    (vi) The offender used his or her position or status to facilitate the commission of the current offense, including positions of trust, confidence or fiduciary responsibility (e.g., pharmacist, physician, or other medical professional).

    (e) The current offense included a finding of sexual motivation pursuant to RCW 9.94A.127.

    (f) The offense was part of an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse of the same victim under the age of eighteen years manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time.

    (g) The current offense involved domestic violence, as defined in RCW 10.99.020 and one or more of the following was present:

    (i) The offense was part of an ongoing pattern of psychological, physical, or sexual abuse of the victim manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time;

    (ii) The offense occurred in the presence of the victim's minor children under the age of eighteen years; or

    (iii) The offender's conduct during the commission of the current offense manifested deliberate cruelty or intimidation of the victim.

    (h) The operation of the multiple offense policy of RCW 9.94A.400 results in a presumptive sentence that is clearly too lenient in light of the purpose of this chapter, as expressed in RCW 9.94A.010.

    (((h))) (i) The defendant's prior unscored misdemeanor or prior unscored foreign criminal history results in a presumptive sentence that is clearly too lenient in light of the purpose of this chapter as expressed in RCW 9.94A.010.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 9A.36 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) A person commits the crime of interference with the reporting of domestic violence if the person prevents or attempts to prevent a victim of or a witness to domestic violence, as defined in RCW 26.50.010, from calling a 911 emergency communication system, obtaining medical assistance, or making a report to any law enforcement official.

    (2) Interference with the reporting of domestic violence is a gross misdemeanor.

 

    Sec. 4.  RCW 10.31.100 and 1995 c 246 s 20, 1995 c 184 s 1, and 1995 c 93 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

    A police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing a felony shall have the authority to arrest the person without a warrant.  A police officer may arrest a person without a warrant for committing a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor only when the offense is committed in the presence of the officer, except as provided in subsections (1) through (10) of this section.

    (1) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, involving physical harm or threats of harm to any person or property or the unlawful taking of property or involving the use or possession of cannabis, or involving the acquisition, possession, or consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of twenty-one years under RCW 66.44.270, or involving criminal trespass under RCW 9A.52.070 or 9A.52.080, shall have the authority to arrest the person.

    (2) A police officer shall arrest and take into custody, pending release on bail, personal recognizance, or court order, a person without a warrant when the officer has probable cause to believe that:

    (a) An order has been issued of which the person has knowledge under RCW 10.99.040(2), 10.99.050, 26.09.050, 26.09.060, 26.10.040, 26.10.115, 26.44.063, chapter 26.26 RCW, or chapter 26.50 RCW restraining the person and the person has violated the terms of the order restraining the person from acts or threats of violence or ((excluding)) restraining the person from ((a)) going onto the grounds of or entering a residence, workplace, school, or day care or, in the case of an order issued under RCW 26.44.063, imposing any other restrictions or conditions upon the person; or

    (b) The person is sixteen years or older and within the preceding four hours has assaulted a family or household member as defined in RCW 10.99.020 and the officer believes:  (i) A felonious assault has occurred; (ii) an assault has occurred which has resulted in bodily injury to the victim, whether the injury is observable by the responding officer or not; or (iii) that any physical action has occurred which was intended to cause another person reasonably to fear imminent serious bodily injury or death.  Bodily injury means physical pain, illness, or an impairment of physical condition.  When the officer has probable cause to believe that ((spouses, former spouses, or other persons who reside together or formerly resided together)) family or household members have assaulted each other, the officer is not required to arrest both persons.  The officer shall arrest the person whom the officer believes to be the primary physical aggressor.  In making this determination, the officer shall make every reasonable effort to consider:  (i) The intent to protect victims of domestic violence under RCW 10.99.010; (ii) the comparative extent of injuries inflicted or serious threats creating fear of physical injury; and (iii) the history of domestic violence between the persons involved.

    (3) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing a violation of any of the following traffic laws shall have the authority to arrest the person:

    (a) RCW 46.52.010, relating to duty on striking an unattended car or other property;

    (b) RCW 46.52.020, relating to duty in case of injury to or death of a person or damage to an attended vehicle;

    (c) RCW 46.61.500 or 46.61.530, relating to reckless driving or racing of vehicles;

    (d) RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, relating to persons under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs;

    (e) RCW 46.20.342, relating to driving a motor vehicle while operator's license is suspended or revoked;

    (f) RCW 46.61.525, relating to operating a motor vehicle in a negligent manner.

    (4) A law enforcement officer investigating at the scene of a motor vehicle accident may arrest the driver of a motor vehicle involved in the accident if the officer has probable cause to believe that the driver has committed in connection with the accident a violation of any traffic law or regulation.

    (5) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing a violation of RCW 88.12.025 shall have the authority to arrest the person.

    (6) An officer may act upon the request of a law enforcement officer in whose presence a traffic infraction was committed, to stop, detain, arrest, or issue a notice of traffic infraction to the driver who is believed to have committed the infraction.  The request by the witnessing officer shall give an officer the authority to take appropriate action under the laws of the state of Washington.

    (7) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has committed or is committing any act of indecent exposure, as defined in RCW 9A.88.010, may arrest the person.

    (8) A police officer may arrest and take into custody, pending release on bail, personal recognizance, or court order, a person without a warrant when the officer has probable cause to believe that an order has been issued of which the person has knowledge under chapter 10.14 RCW and the person has violated the terms of that order.

    (9) Any police officer having probable cause to believe that a person has, within twenty-four hours of the alleged violation, committed a violation of RCW 9A.50.020 may arrest such person.

    (10) A police officer having probable cause to believe that a person illegally possesses or illegally has possessed a firearm or other dangerous weapon on private or public elementary or secondary school premises shall have the authority to arrest the person.

    For purposes of this subsection, the term "firearm" has the meaning defined in RCW 9.41.010 and the term "dangerous weapon" has the meaning defined in RCW 9.41.250 and 9.41.280(1) (c) through (e).

    (11) Except as specifically provided in subsections (2), (3), (4), and (6) of this section, nothing in this section extends or otherwise affects the powers of arrest prescribed in Title 46 RCW.

    (12) No police officer may be held criminally or civilly liable for making an arrest pursuant to RCW 10.31.100 (2) or (8) if the police officer acts in good faith and without malice.

 

    Sec. 5.  RCW 10.99.020 and 1995 c 246 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:

    Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

    (1) "Family or household members" means spouses, former spouses, persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time, adult persons related by blood or marriage, adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past, persons sixteen years of age or older who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship, persons sixteen years of age or older with whom a ((respondent)) person sixteen years of age or older has or has had a dating relationship, and persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren.

    (2) "Dating relationship" has the same meaning as in RCW 26.50.010.

    (3) "Domestic violence" includes but is not limited to any of the following crimes when committed by one family or household member against another:

    (a) Assault in the first degree (RCW 9A.36.011);

    (b) Assault in the second degree (RCW 9A.36.021);

    (c) Assault in the third degree (RCW 9A.36.031);

    (d) Assault in the fourth degree (RCW 9A.36.041);

    (e) Reckless endangerment in the first degree (RCW 9A.36.045);

    (f) Reckless endangerment in the second degree (RCW 9A.36.050);

    (g) Coercion (RCW 9A.36.070);

    (h) Burglary in the first degree (RCW 9A.52.020);

    (i) Burglary in the second degree (RCW 9A.52.030);

    (j) Criminal trespass in the first degree (RCW 9A.52.070);

    (k) Criminal trespass in the second degree (RCW 9A.52.080);

    (l) Malicious mischief in the first degree (RCW 9A.48.070);

    (m) Malicious mischief in the second degree (RCW 9A.48.080);

    (n) Malicious mischief in the third degree (RCW 9A.48.090);

    (o) Kidnapping in the first degree (RCW 9A.40.020);

    (p) Kidnapping in the second degree (RCW 9A.40.030);

    (q) Unlawful imprisonment (RCW 9A.40.040);

    (r) Violation of the provisions of a restraining order restraining the person or ((excluding)) restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering a residence, workplace, school, or day care (RCW 26.09.300, 26.10.220, or 26.26.138);

    (s) Violation of the provisions of a protection order or no-contact order restraining the person or ((excluding)) restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering a residence, workplace, school, or day care (RCW 26.50.060, 26.50.070, 26.50.130, or 10.99.040);

    (t) Rape in the first degree (RCW 9A.44.040);

    (u) Rape in the second degree (RCW 9A.44.050);

    (v) Residential burglary (RCW 9A.52.025); ((and))

    (w) Stalking (RCW 9A.46.110); and

    (x) Interference with the reporting of domestic violence (section 3 of this act).

    (4) "Victim" means a family or household member who has been subjected to domestic violence.

 

    Sec. 6.  RCW 10.99.030 and 1995 c 246 s 22 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) All training relating to the handling of domestic violence complaints by law enforcement officers shall stress enforcement of criminal laws in domestic situations, availability of community resources, and protection of the victim.  Law enforcement agencies and community organizations with expertise in the issue of domestic violence shall cooperate in all aspects of such training.

    (2) The criminal justice training commission shall implement by January 1, 1997, a course of instruction for the training of law enforcement officers in Washington in the handling of domestic violence complaints.  The basic law enforcement curriculum of the criminal justice training commission shall include at least twenty hours of basic training instruction on the law enforcement response to domestic violence.  The course of instruction, the learning and performance objectives, and the standards for the training shall be developed by the commission and focus on enforcing the criminal laws, safety of the victim, and holding the perpetrator accountable for the violence.  The curriculum shall include training on the extent and prevalence of domestic violence, the importance of criminal justice intervention, techniques for responding to incidents that minimize the likelihood of officer injury and that promote victim safety, investigation and interviewing skills, evidence gathering and report writing, assistance to and services for victims and children, verification and enforcement of court orders, liability, and any additional provisions that are necessary to carry out the intention of this subsection.

    (3) The criminal justice training commission shall develop and update annually an in-service training program to familiarize law enforcement officers with the domestic violence laws.  The program shall include techniques for handling incidents of domestic violence that minimize the likelihood of injury to the officer and that promote the safety of all parties.  The commission shall make the training program available to all law enforcement agencies in the state.

    (4) Development of the training in subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall be conducted in conjunction with agencies having a primary responsibility for serving victims of domestic violence with emergency shelter and other services, and representatives to the state-wide organization providing training and education to these organizations and to the general public.

    (5) The primary duty of peace officers, when responding to a domestic violence situation, is to enforce the laws allegedly violated and to protect the complaining party.

    (6)(a) When a peace officer responds to a domestic violence call and has probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed, the peace officer shall exercise arrest powers with reference to the criteria in RCW 10.31.100.  The officer shall notify the victim of the victim's right to initiate a criminal proceeding in all cases where the officer has not exercised arrest powers or decided to initiate criminal proceedings by citation or otherwise.  The parties in such cases shall also be advised of the importance of preserving evidence.

    (b) A peace officer responding to a domestic violence call shall take a complete offense report including the officer's disposition of the case.

    (7) When a peace officer responds to a domestic violence call, the officer shall advise victims of all reasonable means to prevent further abuse, including advising each person of the availability of a shelter or other services in the community, and giving each person immediate notice of the legal rights and remedies available.  The notice shall include handing each person a copy of the following statement:

 

"IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, you can ask the city or county prosecuting attorney to file a criminal complaint.  You also have the right to file a petition in superior, district, or municipal court requesting an order for protection from domestic abuse which could include any of the following:  (a) An order restraining your abuser from further acts of abuse; (b) an order directing your abuser to leave your household; (c) an order preventing your abuser from entering your residence, school, business, or place of employment; (d) an order awarding you or the other parent custody of or visitation with your minor child or children; and (e) an order restraining your abuser from molesting or interfering with minor children in your custody.  The forms you need to obtain a protection order are available in any municipal, district, or superior court.

 

Information about shelters and alternatives to domestic violence is available from a state-wide twenty-four-hour toll-free hotline at (include appropriate phone number).  The battered women's shelter and other resources in your area are . . . . . (include local information)"

 

    (8) The peace officer may offer, arrange, or facilitate transportation for the victim to a hospital for treatment of injuries or to a place of safety or shelter.

    (9) The law enforcement agency shall forward the offense report to the appropriate prosecutor within ten days of making such report if there is probable cause to believe that an offense has been committed, unless the case is under active investigation.

    (10) Each law enforcement agency shall make as soon as practicable a written record and shall maintain records of all incidents of domestic violence reported to it.

    (11) Records kept pursuant to subsections (6) and (10) of this section shall be made identifiable by means of a departmental code for domestic violence.

    (12) Commencing January 1, 1994, records of incidents of domestic violence shall be submitted, in accordance with procedures described in this subsection, to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs by all law enforcement agencies.  The Washington criminal justice training commission shall amend its contract for collection of state-wide crime data with the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs:

    (a) To include a table, in the annual report of crime in Washington produced by the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs pursuant to the contract, showing the total number of actual offenses and the number and percent of the offenses that are domestic violence incidents for the following crimes:  (i) Criminal homicide, with subtotals for murder and nonnegligent homicide and manslaughter by negligence; (ii) forcible rape, with subtotals for rape by force and attempted forcible rape; (iii) robbery, with subtotals for firearm, knife or cutting instrument, or other dangerous weapon, and strongarm robbery; (iv) assault, with subtotals for firearm, knife or cutting instrument, other dangerous weapon, hands, feet, aggravated, and other nonaggravated assaults; (v) burglary, with subtotals for forcible entry, nonforcible unlawful entry, and attempted forcible entry; (vi) larceny theft, except motor vehicle theft; (vii) motor vehicle theft, with subtotals for autos, trucks and buses, and other vehicles; ((and)) (viii) arson; and (ix) violations of the provisions of a protection order or no contact order restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering a residence, workplace, school, or day care, provided that specific appropriations are subsequently made for the collection and compilation of data regarding violations of protection orders or no contact orders;

    (b) To require that the table shall continue to be prepared and contained in the annual report of crime in Washington until that time as comparable or more detailed information about domestic violence incidents is available through the Washington state incident based reporting system and the information is prepared and contained in the annual report of crime in Washington; and

    (c) To require that, in consultation with interested persons, the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs prepare and disseminate procedures to all law enforcement agencies in the state as to how the agencies shall code and report domestic violence incidents to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs.

 

    Sec. 7.  RCW 10.99.040 and 1995 c 246 s 23 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Because of the serious nature of domestic violence, the court in domestic violence actions:

    (a) Shall not dismiss any charge or delay disposition because of concurrent dissolution or other civil proceedings;

    (b) Shall not require proof that either party is seeking a dissolution of marriage prior to instigation of criminal proceedings;

    (c) Shall waive any requirement that the victim's location be disclosed to any person, other than the attorney of a criminal defendant, upon a showing that there is a possibility of further violence:  PROVIDED, That the court may order a criminal defense attorney not to disclose to his or her client the victim's location; and

    (d) Shall identify by any reasonable means on docket sheets those criminal actions arising from acts of domestic violence.

    (2) Because of the likelihood of repeated violence directed at those who have been victims of domestic violence in the past, when any person charged with or arrested for a crime involving domestic violence is released from custody before arraignment or trial on bail or personal recognizance, the court authorizing the release may prohibit that person from having any contact with the victim.  The jurisdiction authorizing the release shall determine whether that person should be prohibited from having any contact with the victim.  If there is no outstanding restraining or protective order prohibiting that person from having contact with the victim, the court authorizing release may issue, by telephone, a no-contact order prohibiting the person charged or arrested from having contact with the victim.  In issuing the order, the court shall consider the provisions of RCW 9.41.800.  The no-contact order shall also be issued in writing as soon as possible. 

    (3) At the time of arraignment the court shall determine whether a no-contact order shall be issued or extended.  If a no-contact order is issued or extended, the court may also include in the conditions of release a requirement that the defendant submit to electronic monitoring.  If electronic monitoring is ordered, the court shall specify who shall provide the monitoring services, and the terms under which the monitoring shall be performed.  Upon conviction, the court may require as a condition of the sentence that the defendant reimburse the providing agency for the costs of the electronic monitoring.

    (4)(a) Willful violation of a court order issued under subsection (2) or (3) of this section is a gross misdemeanor.  A third or subsequent conviction for willful violation of a court order issued under subsection (2) or (3) of this section is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.  Upon conviction and in addition to other penalties provided by law, the court may require that the defendant submit to electronic monitoring.  The court shall specify who shall provide the electronic monitoring services and the terms under which the monitoring must be performed.  The court also may include a requirement that the defendant pay the costs of the monitoring.  The court shall consider the ability of the convicted person to pay for electronic monitoring.

    (b) Any assault that is a violation of an order issued under this section and that does not amount to assault in the first or second degree under RCW 9A.36.011 or 9A.36.021 is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW, and any conduct in violation of a protective order issued under this section that is reckless and creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

    (c) The written order releasing the person charged or arrested shall contain the court's directives and shall bear the legend:  "Violation of this order is a criminal offense under chapter 10.99 RCW and will subject a violator to arrest; any assault or reckless endangerment that is a violation of this order is a felony.  You can be arrested even if any person protected by the order invites or allows you to violate the order's prohibitions.  You have the sole responsibility to avoid or refrain from violating the order's provisions.  Only the court can change the order."  A certified copy of the order shall be provided to the victim.  If a no-contact order has been issued prior to charging, that order shall expire at arraignment or within seventy-two hours if charges are not filed.  Such orders need not be entered into the computer-based criminal intelligence information system in this state which is used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants.

    (5) Whenever an order prohibiting contact is issued, modified, or terminated under subsection (2) or (3) of this section, the clerk of the court shall forward a copy of the order on or before the next judicial day to the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order.  Upon receipt of the copy of the order the law enforcement agency shall forthwith enter the order for one year or until the expiration date specified on the order into any computer-based criminal intelligence information system available in this state used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants.  Entry into the law enforcement information system constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the order.  The order is fully enforceable in any jurisdiction in the state.

 

    Sec. 8.  RCW 10.99.050 and 1991 c 301 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) When a defendant is found guilty of a crime and a condition of the sentence restricts the defendant's ability to have contact with the victim, such condition shall be recorded and a written certified copy of that order shall be provided to the victim.

    (2) Willful violation of a court order issued under this section is a gross misdemeanor.  A third or subsequent conviction for willful violation of a court order issued under this section is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.  Any assault that is a violation of an order issued under this section and that does not amount to assault in the first or second degree under RCW 9A.36.011 or 9A.36.021 is a class C felony, and any conduct in violation of a protective order issued under this section that is reckless and creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person is a class C felony.  The written order shall contain the court's directives and shall bear the legend:  Violation of this order is a criminal offense under chapter 10.99 RCW and will subject a violator to arrest; any assault or reckless endangerment that is a violation of this order is a felony.  You can be arrested even if any person protected by the order invites or allows you to violate the order's prohibitions.  You have the sole responsibility to avoid or refrain from violating the order's provisions.  Only the court can change the order.

    (3) Whenever an order prohibiting contact is issued pursuant to this section, the clerk of the court shall forward a copy of the order on or before the next judicial day to the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order.  Upon receipt of the copy of the order the law enforcement agency shall forthwith enter the order for one year into any computer-based criminal intelligence information system available in this state used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants.  Entry into the law enforcement information system constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the order.  The order is fully enforceable in any jurisdiction in the state.

 

    Sec. 9.  RCW 26.09.300 and 1995 c 246 s 27 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Whenever a restraining order is issued under this chapter, and the person to be restrained knows of the order, a violation of the provisions restricting the person from acts or threats of violence or of a provision ((excluding)) restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering the residence, workplace, school, or day care of another is a misdemeanor.

    (2) A person is deemed to have notice of a restraining order if:

    (a) The person to be restrained or the person's attorney signed the order;

    (b) The order recites that the person to be restrained or the person's attorney appeared in person before the court;

    (c) The order was served upon the person to be restrained; or

    (d) The peace officer gives the person oral or written evidence of the order by reading from it or handing to the person a certified copy of the original order, certified to be an accurate copy of the original by a notary public or by the clerk of the court.

    (3) A peace officer shall verify the existence of a restraining order by:

    (a) Obtaining information confirming the existence and terms of the order from a law enforcement agency; or

    (b) Obtaining a certified copy of the order, certified to be an accurate copy of the original by a notary public or by the clerk of the court.

    (4) A peace officer shall arrest and take into custody, pending release on bail, personal recognizance, or court order, a person without a warrant when the officer has probable cause to believe that:

    (a) A restraining order has been issued under this chapter;

    (b) The respondent or person to be restrained knows of the order; and

    (c) The person to be arrested has violated the terms of the order restraining the person from acts or threats of violence or ((excluding)) restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering the residence, workplace, school, or day care of another.

    (5) It is a defense to prosecution under subsection (1) of this section that the court order was issued contrary to law or court rule.

    (6) No peace officer may be held criminally or civilly liable for making an arrest under subsection (4) of this section if the officer acts in good faith and without malice.

 

    Sec. 10.  RCW 26.10.220 and 1995 c 246 s 30 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Whenever a restraining order is issued under this chapter, and the person to be restrained knows of the order, a violation of the provisions restricting the person from acts or threats of violence or of a provision ((excluding)) restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering the residence, workplace, school, or day care of another is a misdemeanor.

    (2) A person is deemed to have notice of a restraining order if:

    (a) The person to be restrained or the person's attorney signed the order;

    (b) The order recites that the person to be restrained or the person's attorney appeared in person before the court;

    (c) The order was served upon the person to be restrained; or

    (d) The peace officer gives the person oral or written evidence of the order by reading from it or handing to the person a certified copy of the original order, certified to be an accurate copy of the original by a notary public or by the clerk of the court.

    (3) A peace officer shall verify the existence of a restraining order by:

    (a) Obtaining information confirming the existence and terms of the order from a law enforcement agency; or

    (b) Obtaining a certified copy of the order, certified to be an accurate copy of the original by a notary public or by the clerk of the court.

    (4) A peace officer shall arrest and take into custody, pending release on bail, personal recognizance, or court order, a person without a warrant when the officer has probable cause to believe that:

    (a) A restraining order has been issued under this chapter;

    (b) The respondent or person to be restrained knows of the order; and

    (c) The person to be arrested has violated the terms of the order restraining the person from acts or threats of violence or ((excluding)) restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering the residence, workplace, school, or day care of another.

    (5) It is a defense to prosecution under subsection (1) of this section that the court order was issued contrary to law or court rule.

    (6) No peace officer may be held criminally or civilly liable for making an arrest under subsection (4) of this section if the officer acts in good faith and without malice.

 

    Sec. 11.  RCW 26.26.138 and 1995 c 246 s 33 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Whenever a restraining order is issued under this chapter, and the person to be restrained knows of the order, a violation of the provisions restricting the person from acts or threats of violence or of a provision ((excluding)) restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering the residence, workplace, school, or day care of another is a misdemeanor.

    (2) A person is deemed to have notice of a restraining order if:

    (a) The person to be restrained or the person's attorney signed the order;

    (b) The order recites that the person to be restrained or the person's attorney appeared in person before the court;

    (c) The order was served upon the person to be restrained; or

    (d) The peace officer gives the person oral or written evidence of the order by reading from it or handing to the person a certified copy of the original order, certified to be an accurate copy of the original by a notary public or by the clerk of the court.

    (3) A peace officer shall verify the existence of a restraining order by:

    (a) Obtaining information confirming the existence and terms of the order from a law enforcement agency; or

    (b) Obtaining a certified copy of the order, certified to be an accurate copy of the original by a notary public or by the clerk of the court.

    (4) A peace officer shall arrest and take into custody, pending release on bail, personal recognizance, or court order, a person without a warrant when the officer has probable cause to believe that:

    (a) A restraining order has been issued under this chapter;

    (b) The respondent or person to be restrained knows of the order; and

    (c) The person to be arrested has violated the terms of the order restraining the person from acts or threats of violence or ((excluding)) restraining the person from going onto the grounds of or entering the residence, workplace, school, or day care of another.

    (5) It is a defense to prosecution under subsection (1) of this section that the court order was issued contrary to law or court rule.

    (6) No peace officer may be held criminally or civilly liable for making an arrest under subsection (4) of this section if the officer acts in good faith and without malice.

 

    Sec. 12.  RCW 26.50.030 and 1995 c 246 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    There shall exist an action known as a petition for an order for protection in cases of domestic violence.

    (1) A petition for relief shall allege the existence of domestic violence, and shall be accompanied by an affidavit made under oath stating the specific facts and circumstances from which relief is sought.  Petitioner and respondent shall disclose the existence of any other litigation concerning the custody or residential placement of a child of the parties as set forth in RCW 26.27.090 and the existence of any other restraining, protection, or no contact orders between the parties.

    (2) A petition for relief may be made regardless of whether or not there is a pending lawsuit, complaint, petition, or other action between the parties except in cases where the court realigns petitioner and respondent in accordance with RCW 26.50.060(4).

    (3) Within ninety days of receipt of the master copy from the administrator for the courts, all court clerk's offices shall make available the standardized forms, instructions, and informational brochures required by RCW 26.50.035 and shall fill in and keep current specific program names and telephone numbers for community resources.  Any assistance or information provided by clerks under this section does not constitute the practice of law and clerks are not responsible for incorrect information contained in a petition.

    (4) No filing fee may be charged for proceedings under this section.  Forms and instructional brochures shall be provided free of charge.

    (5) A person is not required to post a bond to obtain relief in any proceeding under this section.

 

    Sec. 13.  RCW 26.50.060 and 1995 c 246 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Upon notice and after hearing, the court may provide relief as follows:

    (a) Restrain the respondent from committing acts of domestic violence;

    (b) Exclude the respondent from the dwelling which the parties share, from the residence, workplace, or school of the petitioner, or from the day care or school of a child;

    (c) On the same basis as is provided in chapter 26.09 RCW, the court shall make residential provision with regard to minor children of the parties.  However, parenting plans as specified in chapter 26.09 RCW shall not be required under this chapter;

    (d) Order the respondent to participate in batterers' treatment;

    (e) Order other relief as it deems necessary for the protection of the petitioner and other family or household members sought to be protected, including orders or directives to a peace officer, as allowed under this chapter;

    (f) Require the respondent to pay the administrative court costs and service fees, as established by the county or municipality incurring the expense and to reimburse the petitioner for costs incurred in bringing the action, including a reasonable attorney's fee;

    (g) Restrain the respondent from having any contact with the victim of domestic violence or the victim's children or members of the victim's household;

    (h) Require the respondent to submit to electronic monitoring.  The order shall specify who shall provide the electronic monitoring services and the terms under which the monitoring must be performed.  The order also may include a requirement that the respondent pay the costs of the monitoring.  The court shall consider the ability of the respondent to pay for electronic monitoring;

    (i) Consider the provisions of RCW 9.41.800;

    (j) Order possession and use of essential personal effects.  The court shall list the essential personal effects with sufficient specificity to make it clear which property is included; and

    (k) Order use of a vehicle.

    (2) If a restraining order restrains the respondent from contacting the respondent's minor children the restraint shall be for a fixed period not to exceed one year.  This limitation is not applicable to orders for protection issued under chapter 26.09, 26.10, or 26.26 RCW.  With regard to other relief, if the petitioner has petitioned for relief on his or her own behalf or on behalf of the petitioner's family or household members or minor children, and the court finds that the respondent is likely to resume acts of domestic violence against the petitioner or the petitioner's family or household members or minor children when the order expires, the court may either grant relief for a fixed period or enter a permanent order of protection.

    If the petitioner has petitioned for relief on behalf of the respondent's minor children, the court shall advise the petitioner that if the petitioner wants to continue protection for a period beyond one year the petitioner may either petition for renewal pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or may seek relief pursuant to the provisions of chapter 26.09 or 26.26 RCW.

    (3) If the court grants an order for a fixed time period, the petitioner may apply for renewal of the order by filing a petition for renewal at any time within the three months before the order expires.  The petition for renewal shall state the reasons why the petitioner seeks to renew the protection order.  Upon receipt of the petition for renewal the court shall order a hearing which shall be not later than fourteen days from the date of the order.  Except as provided in RCW 26.50.085, personal service shall be made on the respondent not less than five days before the hearing.  If timely service cannot be made the court shall set a new hearing date and shall either require additional attempts at obtaining personal service or permit service by publication as provided in RCW 26.50.085 or by mail as provided in RCW 26.50.123.  If the court permits service by publication or mail, the court shall set the new hearing date not later than twenty-four days from the date of the order.  If the order expires because timely service cannot be made the court shall grant an ex parte order of protection as provided in RCW 26.50.070.  The court shall grant the petition for renewal unless the respondent proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent will not resume acts of domestic violence against the petitioner or the petitioner's children or family or household members when the order expires.  The court may renew the protection order for another fixed time period or may enter a permanent order as provided in this section.  The court may award court costs, service fees, and reasonable attorneys' fees as provided in subsection (1)(f) of this section.

    (4) In providing relief under this chapter, the court may realign the designation of the parties as "petitioner" and "respondent" where the court finds that the original petitioner is the abuser and the original respondent is the victim of domestic violence and may issue an ex parte temporary order for protection in accordance with RCW 26.50.070 on behalf of the victim until the victim is able to prepare a petition for an order for protection in accordance with RCW 26.50.030.

    (5) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, no order for protection shall grant relief to any party except upon notice to the respondent and hearing pursuant to a petition or counter-petition filed and served by the party seeking relief in accordance with RCW 26.50.050.

    (6) The court order shall specify the date the order expires if any.  The court order shall also state whether the court issued the protection order following personal service ((or)), service by publication, or service by mail and whether the court has approved service by publication or mail of an order issued under this section.

    (7) If the court declines to issue an order for protection or declines to renew an order for protection, the court shall state in writing on the order the particular reasons for the court's denial.

 

    Sec. 14.  RCW 26.50.070 and 1995 c 246 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Where an application under this section alleges that irreparable injury could result from domestic violence if an order is not issued immediately without prior notice to the respondent, the court may grant an ex parte temporary order for protection, pending a full hearing, and grant relief as the court deems proper, including an order:

    (a) Restraining any party from committing acts of domestic violence;

    (b) ((Excluding)) Restraining any party from going onto the grounds of or entering the dwelling ((shared or from the residence of the other)) that the parties share, from the residence, workplace, or school of the other, or from the day care or school of a child until further order of the court;

    (c) Restraining any party from interfering with the other's custody of the minor children or from removing the children from the jurisdiction of the court;

    (d) Restraining any party from having any contact with the victim of domestic violence or the victim's children or members of the victim's household; and

    (e) Considering the provisions of RCW 9.41.800.

    (2) Irreparable injury under this section includes but is not limited to situations in which the respondent has recently threatened petitioner with bodily injury or has engaged in acts of domestic violence against the petitioner.

    (3) The court shall hold an ex parte hearing in person or by telephone on the day the petition is filed or on the following judicial day.

    (4) An ex parte temporary order for protection shall be effective for a fixed period not to exceed fourteen days or twenty-four days if the court has permitted service by publication under RCW 26.50.085 or by mail under RCW 26.50.123.  The ex parte order may be reissued.  A full hearing, as provided in this chapter, shall be set for not later than fourteen days from the issuance of the temporary order or not later than twenty-four days if service by publication or by mail is permitted.  Except as provided in RCW 26.50.050, 26.50.085, and 26.50.123, the respondent shall be personally served with a copy of the ex parte order along with a copy of the petition and notice of the date set for the hearing.

    (5) Any order issued under this section shall contain the date and time of issuance and the expiration date and shall be entered into a state-wide judicial information system by the clerk of the court within one judicial day after issuance.

    (6) If the court declines to issue an ex parte temporary order for protection the court shall state the particular reasons for the court's denial.  The court's denial of a motion for an ex parte order of protection shall be filed with the court.

 

    Sec. 15.  RCW 26.50.100 and 1995 c 246 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) A copy of an order for protection granted under this chapter shall be forwarded by the clerk of the court on or before the next judicial day to the appropriate law enforcement agency specified in the order.

    Upon receipt of the order, the law enforcement agency shall forthwith enter the order into any computer-based criminal intelligence information system available in this state used by law enforcement agencies to list outstanding warrants.  The order shall remain in the computer for the period stated in the order.  The law enforcement agency shall only expunge from the computer-based criminal intelligence information system orders that are expired, vacated, or superseded.  Entry into the law enforcement information system constitutes notice to all law enforcement agencies of the existence of the order.  The order is fully enforceable in any county in the state.

    (2) The information entered into the computer-based criminal intelligence information system shall include notice to law enforcement whether the order was personally served ((or)), served by publication, or served by mail.

 

    Sec. 16.  RCW 26.50.110 and 1995 c 246 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Whenever an order for protection is granted under this chapter and the respondent or person to be restrained knows of the order, a violation of the restraint provisions or of a provision excluding the person from a residence, workplace, school, or day care is a gross misdemeanor.  A third or subsequent conviction for violating an order for protection granted under this chapter is a class C felony punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.  Upon conviction, and in addition to any other penalties provided by law, the court may require that the respondent submit to electronic monitoring.  The court shall specify who shall provide the electronic monitoring services, and the terms under which the monitoring shall be performed.  The order also may include a requirement that the respondent pay the costs of the monitoring.  The court shall consider the ability of the convicted person to pay for electronic monitoring.

    (2) A peace officer shall arrest without a warrant and take into custody a person whom the peace officer has probable cause to believe has violated an order issued under this chapter that restrains the person or excludes the person from a residence, workplace, school, or day care, if the person restrained knows of the order.  Presence of the order in the law enforcement computer-based criminal intelligence information system is not the only means of establishing knowledge of the order.

    (3) A violation of an order for protection shall also constitute contempt of court, and is subject to the penalties prescribed by law.

    (4) Any assault that is a violation of an order issued under this chapter and that does not amount to assault in the first or second degree under RCW 9A.36.011 or 9A.36.021 is a class C felony, and any conduct in violation of a protective order issued under this chapter that is reckless and creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person is a class C felony.

    (5) Upon the filing of an affidavit by the petitioner or any peace officer alleging that the respondent has violated an order for protection granted under this chapter, the court may issue an order to the respondent, requiring the respondent to appear and show cause within fourteen days why the respondent should not be found in contempt of court and punished accordingly.  The hearing may be held in the court of any county or municipality in which the petitioner or respondent temporarily or permanently resides at the time of the alleged violation.

 

    Sec. 17.  RCW 26.50.115 and 1995 c 246 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) When the court issues an ex parte order pursuant to RCW 26.50.070 or an order of protection ((ordered issued)) pursuant to RCW 26.50.060, the court shall advise the petitioner that the respondent may not be subjected to the penalties set forth in RCW 26.50.110 for a violation of the order unless the respondent knows of the order.

    (2) When a peace officer investigates a report of an alleged violation of an order for protection issued under this chapter the officer shall attempt to determine whether the respondent knew of the existence of the protection order.  If the law enforcement officer determines that the respondent did not or probably did not know about the protection order and the officer is provided a current copy of the order, the officer shall serve the order on the respondent if the respondent is present.  If the respondent is not present, the officer shall make reasonable efforts to serve a copy of the order on the respondent.  If the officer serves the respondent with the petitioner's copy of the order, the officer shall give petitioner a receipt indicating that petitioner's copy has been served on the respondent.  After the officer has served the order on the respondent, the officer shall enforce prospective compliance with the order.

    (3) Presentation of an unexpired, certified copy of a protection order with proof of service is sufficient for a law enforcement officer to enforce ((the terms of)) the order regardless of the presence of the order in the law enforcement computer-based criminal intelligence information system."

 

 

 

EHB 2472 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Law & Justice

 

                                                                   

 

    On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "violence;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 9.94A.370, 9.94A.390, 10.99.020, 10.99.030, 10.99.040, 10.99.050, 26.09.300, 26.10.220, 26.26.138, 26.50.030, 26.50.060, 26.50.070, 26.50.100, 26.50.110, and 26.50.115; reenacting and amending RCW 10.31.100; adding a new section to chapter 9A.36 RCW; and prescribing penalties."

 

 


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