S-3603.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 6189

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1998 Regular Session

 

By Senators Oke and Haugen

 

Read first time 01/13/98.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

Creating a special allegation of sexual motivation in misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases.


    AN ACT Relating to crimes with sexual motivation; amending RCW 9.94A.360 and 9A.44.140; reenacting and amending RCW 9A.44.130; adding a new section to chapter 9A.44 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 9A.44 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The prosecuting attorney may file a special allegation of sexual motivation in any misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor case.

    (2) In a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor case wherein there has been a special allegation the state shall prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime with a sexual motivation.  The court shall make a finding of fact of whether or not a sexual motivation was present at the time of the commission of the crime, or if a jury trial is had, the jury shall, if it finds the defendant guilty, also find a special verdict as to whether or not the defendant committed the crime with a sexual motivation.

    (3) "Sexual motivation" means that one of the purposes for which the defendant committed the crime was for the purpose of his or her sexual gratification.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 9.94A.360 and 1997 c 338 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

    The offender score is measured on the horizontal axis of the sentencing grid.  The offender score rules are as follows:

    The offender score is the sum of points accrued under this section rounded down to the nearest whole number.

    (1) A prior conviction is a conviction which exists before the date of sentencing for the offense for which the offender score is being computed.  Convictions entered or sentenced on the same date as the conviction for which the offender score is being computed shall be deemed "other current offenses" within the meaning of RCW 9.94A.400.

    (2) Class A and sex offense prior felony convictions and prior convictions for misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors with a finding of sexual motivation pursuant to section 1 of this act shall always be included in the offender score.  Class B prior felony convictions other than sex offenses shall not be included in the offender score, if since the last date of release from confinement (including full-time residential treatment) pursuant to a felony conviction, if any, or entry of judgment and sentence, the offender had spent ten consecutive years in the community without committing any crime that subsequently results in a conviction.  Class C prior felony convictions other than sex offenses shall not be included in the offender score if, since the last date of release from confinement (including full-time residential treatment) pursuant to a felony conviction, if any, or entry of judgment and sentence, the offender had spent five consecutive years in the community without committing any crime that subsequently results in a conviction.  Serious traffic convictions shall not be included in the offender score if, since the last date of release from confinement (including full-time residential treatment) pursuant to a felony conviction, if any, or entry of judgment and sentence, the offender spent five years in the community without committing any crime that subsequently results in a conviction.  This subsection applies to both adult and juvenile prior convictions.

    (3) Out-of-state convictions for offenses shall be classified according to the comparable offense definitions and sentences provided by Washington law.  Federal convictions for offenses shall be classified according to the comparable offense definitions and sentences provided by Washington law.  If there is no clearly comparable offense under Washington law or the offense is one that is usually considered subject to exclusive federal jurisdiction, the offense shall be scored as a class C felony equivalent if it was a felony under the relevant federal statute.

    (4) Score prior convictions for felony anticipatory offenses (attempts, criminal solicitations, and criminal conspiracies) the same as if they were convictions for completed offenses.

    (5)(a) In the case of multiple prior convictions, for the purpose of computing the offender score, count all convictions separately, except:

    (i) Prior offenses which were found, under RCW 9.94A.400(1)(a), to encompass the same criminal conduct, shall be counted as one offense, the offense that yields the highest offender score.  The current sentencing court shall determine with respect to other prior adult offenses for which sentences were served concurrently or prior juvenile offenses for which sentences were served consecutively, whether those offenses shall be counted as one offense or as separate offenses using the "same criminal conduct" analysis found in RCW 9.94A.400(1)(a), and if the court finds that they shall be counted as one offense, then the offense that yields the highest offender score shall be used.  The current sentencing court may presume that such other prior offenses were not the same criminal conduct from sentences imposed on separate dates, or in separate counties or jurisdictions, or in separate complaints, indictments, or informations;

    (ii) In the case of multiple prior convictions for offenses committed before July 1, 1986, for the purpose of computing the offender score, count all adult convictions served concurrently as one offense, and count all juvenile convictions entered on the same date as one offense.  Use the conviction for the offense that yields the highest offender score.

    (b) As used in this subsection (5), "served concurrently" means that:  (i) The latter sentence was imposed with specific reference to the former; (ii) the concurrent relationship of the sentences was judicially imposed; and (iii) the concurrent timing of the sentences was not the result of a probation or parole revocation on the former offense.

    (6) If the present conviction is one of the anticipatory offenses of criminal attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy, count each prior conviction as if the present conviction were for a completed offense.

    (7) If the present conviction is for a nonviolent offense and not covered by subsection (11) or (12) of this section, count one point for each adult prior felony conviction and one point for each juvenile prior violent felony conviction and 2 point for each juvenile prior nonviolent felony conviction.

    (8) If the present conviction is for a violent offense and not covered in subsection (9), (10), (11), or (12) of this section, count two points for each prior adult and juvenile violent felony conviction, one point for each prior adult nonviolent felony conviction, and 2 point for each prior juvenile nonviolent felony conviction.

    (9) If the present conviction is for Murder 1 or 2, Assault 1, Assault of a Child 1, Kidnapping 1, Homicide by Abuse, or Rape 1, count three points for prior adult and juvenile convictions for crimes in these categories, two points for each prior adult and juvenile violent conviction (not already counted), one point for each prior adult nonviolent felony conviction, and 2 point for each prior juvenile nonviolent felony conviction.

    (10) If the present conviction is for Burglary 1, count prior convictions as in subsection (8) of this section; however count two points for each prior adult Burglary 2 or residential burglary conviction, and one point for each prior juvenile Burglary 2 or residential burglary conviction.

    (11) If the present conviction is for a felony traffic offense count two points for each adult or juvenile prior conviction for Vehicular Homicide or Vehicular Assault; for each felony offense or serious traffic offense, count one point for each adult and 2 point for each juvenile prior conviction.

    (12) If the present conviction is for a drug offense count three points for each adult prior felony drug offense conviction and two points for each juvenile drug offense.  All other adult and juvenile felonies are scored as in subsection (8) of this section if the current drug offense is violent, or as in subsection (7) of this section if the current drug offense is nonviolent.

    (13) If the present conviction is for Willful Failure to Return from Furlough, RCW 72.66.060, Willful Failure to Return from Work Release, RCW 72.65.070, or Escape from Community Custody, RCW 72.09.310, count only prior escape convictions in the offender score.  Count adult prior escape convictions as one point and juvenile prior escape convictions as 2 point.

    (14) If the present conviction is for Escape 1, RCW 9A.76.110, or Escape 2, RCW 9A.76.120, count adult prior convictions as one point and juvenile prior convictions as 2 point.

    (15) If the present conviction is for Burglary 2 or residential burglary, count priors as in subsection (7) of this section; however, count two points for each adult and juvenile prior Burglary 1 conviction, two points for each adult prior Burglary 2 or residential burglary conviction, and one point for each juvenile prior Burglary 2 or residential burglary conviction.

    (16) If the present conviction is for a sex offense, count priors as in subsections (7) through (15) of this section; however count three points for each adult and juvenile prior sex offense conviction and count one point for each adult and juvenile prior conviction for a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor with a finding of sexual motivation pursuant to section 1 of this act.

    (17) If the present conviction is for an offense committed while the offender was under community placement, add one point.

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 9A.44.130 and 1997 c 340 s 3 and 1997 c 113 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

    (1) Any adult or juvenile residing in this state who has been found to have committed or has been convicted of any sex offense or kidnapping offense, or who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of committing any sex offense or kidnapping offense, shall register with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence.

    (2) The person shall provide the county sheriff with the following information when registering:  (a) Name; (b) address; (c) date and place of birth; (d) place of employment; (e) crime for which convicted; (f) date and place of conviction; (g) aliases used; and (h) social security number.

    (3)(a) Offenders shall register within the following deadlines.  For purposes of this section the term "conviction" refers to adult convictions and juvenile adjudications for sex offenses or kidnapping offenses:

    (i) OFFENDERS IN CUSTODY.  (A) Sex offenders who committed a sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, and who, on or after July 28, 1991, are in custody, as a result of that offense, of the state department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, a local division of youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility, and (B) kidnapping offenders who on or after July 27, 1997, are in custody of the state department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, a local division of youth services, or a local jail or juvenile detention facility, must register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence.  The agency that has jurisdiction over the offender shall provide notice to the offender of the duty to register.  Failure to register within twenty-four hours of release constitutes a violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (7) of this section.

    (ii) OFFENDERS NOT IN CUSTODY BUT UNDER STATE OR LOCAL JURISDICTION.  Sex offenders who, on July 28, 1991, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the indeterminate sentence review board or under the department of correction's active supervision, as defined by the department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, or a local division of youth services, for sex offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, must register within ten days of July 28, 1991.  Kidnapping offenders who, on July 27, 1997, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the indeterminate sentence review board or under the department of correction's active supervision, as defined by the department of corrections, the state department of social and health services, or a local division of youth services, for kidnapping offenses committed before, on, or after July 27, 1997, must register within ten days of July 27, 1997.  A change in supervision status of a sex offender who was required to register under this subsection (3)(a)(ii) as of July 28, 1991, or a kidnapping offender required to register as of July 27, 1997, shall not relieve the offender of the duty to register or to reregister following a change in residence.  The obligation to register shall only cease pursuant to RCW 9A.44.140.

    (iii) OFFENDERS UNDER FEDERAL JURISDICTION.  Sex offenders who, on or after July 23, 1995, and kidnapping offenders who, on or after July 27, 1997, as a result of that offense are in the custody of the United States bureau of prisons or other federal or military correctional agency for sex offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, or kidnapping offenses committed on, before, or after July 27, 1997, must register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence.  Sex offenders who, on July 23, 1995, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the United States bureau of prisons, United States courts, United States parole commission, or military parole board for sex offenses committed before, on, or after February 28, 1990, must register within ten days of July 23, 1995.  Kidnapping offenders who, on July 27, 1997, are not in custody but are under the jurisdiction of the United States bureau of prisons, United States courts, United States parole commission, or military parole board for kidnapping offenses committed before, on, or after July 27, 1997, must register within ten days of July 27, 1997.  A change in supervision status of a sex offender who was required to register under this subsection (3)(a)(iii) as of July 23, 1995, or a kidnapping offender required to register as of July 27, 1997 shall not relieve the offender of the duty to register or to reregister following a change in residence.  The obligation to register shall only cease pursuant to RCW 9A.44.140.

    (iv) OFFENDERS WHO ARE CONVICTED BUT NOT CONFINED.  Sex offenders who are convicted of a sex offense on or after July 28, 1991, for a sex offense that was committed on or after February 28, 1990, and kidnapping offenders who are convicted on or after July 27, 1997, for a kidnapping offense that was committed on or after July 27, 1997, but who are not sentenced to serve a term of confinement immediately upon sentencing, shall report to the county sheriff to register immediately upon completion of being sentenced.

    (v) OFFENDERS WHO ARE NEW RESIDENTS OR RETURNING WASHINGTON RESIDENTS.  Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders who move to Washington state from another state or a foreign country that are not under the jurisdiction of the state department of corrections, the indeterminate sentence review board, or the state department of social and health services at the time of moving to Washington, must register within thirty days of establishing residence or reestablishing residence if the person is a former Washington resident.  The duty to register under this subsection applies to sex offenders convicted under the laws of another state or a foreign country, federal or military statutes, or Washington state for offenses committed on or after February 28, 1990, and to kidnapping offenders convicted under the laws of another state or a foreign country, federal or military statutes, or Washington state for offenses committed on or after July 27, 1997.  Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders from other states or a foreign country who, when they move to Washington, are under the jurisdiction of the department of corrections, the indeterminate sentence review board, or the department of social and health services must register within twenty-four hours of moving to Washington.  The agency that has jurisdiction over the offender shall notify the offender of the registration requirements before the offender moves to Washington.

    (vi) OFFENDERS FOUND NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY.  Any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of (A) committing a sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, and who, on or after July 23, 1995, is in custody, as a result of that finding, of the state department of social and health services, or (B) committing a kidnapping offense on, before, or after July 27, 1997, and who on or after July 27, 1997, is in custody, as a result of that finding, of the state department of social and health services, must register within twenty-four hours from the time of release with the county sheriff for the county of the person's residence.  The state department of social and health services shall provide notice to the adult or juvenile in its custody of the duty to register.  Any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of committing a sex offense on, before, or after February 28, 1990, but who was released before July 23, 1995, or any adult or juvenile who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of committing a kidnapping offense but who was released before July 27, 1997, shall be required to register within twenty-four hours of receiving notice of this registration requirement.  The state department of social and health services shall make reasonable attempts within available resources to notify sex offenders who were released before July 23, 1995, and kidnapping offenders who were released before July 27, 1997.  Failure to register within twenty-four hours of release, or of receiving notice, constitutes a violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (7) of this section.

    (b) Failure to register within the time required under this section constitutes a per se violation of this section and is punishable as provided in subsection (7) of this section.  The county sheriff shall not be required to determine whether the person is living within the county.

    (c) An arrest on charges of failure to register, service of an information, or a complaint for a violation of this section, or arraignment on charges for a violation of this section, constitutes actual notice of the duty to register.  Any person charged with the crime of failure to register under this section who asserts as a defense the lack of notice of the duty to register shall register immediately following actual notice of the duty through arrest, service, or arraignment.  Failure to register as required under this subsection (c) constitutes grounds for filing another charge of failing to register.  Registering following arrest, service, or arraignment on charges shall not relieve the offender from criminal liability for failure to register prior to the filing of the original charge.

    (d) The deadlines for the duty to register under this section do not relieve any sex offender of the duty to register under this section as it existed prior to July 28, 1991.

    (4)(a) If any person required to register pursuant to this section changes his or her residence address within the same county, the person must send written notice of the change of address to the county sheriff at least fourteen days before moving.  If any person required to register pursuant to this section moves to a new county, the person must send written notice of the change of address at least fourteen days before moving to the county sheriff in the new county of residence and must register with that county sheriff within twenty-four hours of moving.  The person must also send written notice within ten days of the change of address in the new county to the county sheriff with whom the person last registered.  If any person required to register pursuant to this section moves out of Washington state, the person must also send written notice within ten days of moving to the new state or a foreign country to the county sheriff with whom the person last registered in Washington state.

    (b) It is an affirmative defense to a charge that the person failed to send a notice at least fourteen days in advance of moving as required under (a) of this subsection that the person did not know the location of his or her new residence at least fourteen days before moving.  The defendant must establish the defense by a preponderance of the evidence and, to prevail on the defense, must also prove by a preponderance that the defendant sent the required notice within twenty-four hours of determining the new address.

    (5) The county sheriff shall obtain a photograph of the individual and shall obtain a copy of the individual's fingerprints.

    (6) For the purpose of RCW 9A.44.130, 10.01.200, 43.43.540, 70.48.470, and 72.09.330:

    (a) "Sex offense" means any offense defined as a sex offense by RCW 9.94A.030 and any violation of RCW 9.68A.040 (sexual exploitation of a minor), 9.68A.050 (dealing in depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct), 9.68A.060 (sending, bringing into state depictions of minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct), 9.68A.090 (communication with minor for immoral purposes), 9.68A.100 (patronizing juvenile prostitute), or 9A.44.096 (sexual misconduct with a minor in the second degree), as well as any gross misdemeanor that is, under chapter 9A.28 RCW, a criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy to commit an offense that is classified as a sex offense under RCW 9.94A.030, and any misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor with a finding of sexual motivation pursuant to section 1 of this act.

    (b) "Kidnapping offense" means the crimes of kidnapping in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, and unlawful imprisonment as defined in chapter 9A.40 RCW, where the victim is a minor and the offender is not the minor's parent.

    (7) A person who knowingly fails to register or who moves without notifying the county sheriff as required by this section is guilty of a class C felony if the crime for which the individual was convicted was a felony or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be a felony.  If the crime was other than a felony or a federal or out-of-state conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be other than a felony, violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.

 

    Sec. 4.  RCW 9A.44.140 and 1997 c 113 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The duty to register under RCW 9A.44.130 shall end:

    (a) For a person convicted of a class A felony:  Such person may only be relieved of the duty to register under subsection (3) or (4) of this section.

    (b) For a person convicted of a class B felony:  Fifteen years after the last date of release from confinement, if any, (including full-time residential treatment) pursuant to the conviction, or entry of the judgment and sentence, if the person has spent fifteen consecutive years in the community without being convicted of any new offenses.

    (c) For a person convicted of a class C felony, a violation of RCW 9.68A.090 or 9A.44.096, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit a class C felony, or any misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor with a finding of sexual motivation pursuant to section 1 of this act:  Ten years after the last date of release from confinement, if any, (including full-time residential treatment) pursuant to the conviction, or entry of the judgment and sentence, if the person has spent ten consecutive years in the community without being convicted of any new offenses.

    (2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall apply equally to a person who has been found not guilty by reason of insanity under chapter 10.77 RCW of a sex offense or kidnapping offense.

    (3) Any person having a duty to register under RCW 9A.44.130 may petition the superior court to be relieved of that duty.  The petition shall be made to the court in which the petitioner was convicted of the offense that subjects him or her to the duty to register, or, in the case of convictions in other states, a foreign country, or a federal or military court, to the court in Thurston county.  The prosecuting attorney of the county shall be named and served as the respondent in any such petition.  The court shall consider the nature of the registrable offense committed, and the criminal and relevant noncriminal behavior of the petitioner both before and after conviction, and may consider other factors.  Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, the court may relieve the petitioner of the duty to register only if the petitioner shows, with clear and convincing evidence, that future registration of the petitioner will not serve the purposes of RCW 9A.44.130, 10.01.200, 43.43.540, 46.20.187, 70.48.470, and 72.09.330.

    (4) An offender having a duty to register under RCW 9A.44.130 for a sex offense or kidnapping offense committed when the offender was a juvenile may petition the superior court to be relieved of that duty.  The court shall consider the nature of the registrable offense committed, and the criminal and relevant noncriminal behavior of the petitioner both before and after adjudication, and may consider other factors.  The court may relieve the petitioner of the duty to register for a sex offense or kidnapping offense that was committed while the petitioner was fifteen years of age or older only if the petitioner shows, with clear and convincing evidence, that future registration of the petitioner will not serve the purposes of RCW 9A.44.130, 10.01.200, 43.43.540, 46.20.187, 70.48.470, and 72.09.330.  The court may relieve the petitioner of the duty to register for a sex offense or kidnapping offense that was committed while the petitioner was under the age of fifteen if the petitioner (a) has not been adjudicated of any additional sex offenses or kidnapping offenses during the twenty-four months following the adjudication for the offense giving rise to the duty to register, and (b) the petitioner proves by a preponderance of the evidence that future registration of the petitioner will not serve the purposes of RCW 9A.44.130, 10.01.200, 43.43.540, 46.20.187, 70.48.470, and 72.09.330.

    (5) Unless relieved of the duty to register pursuant to this section, a violation of RCW 9A.44.130 is an ongoing offense for purposes of the statute of limitations under RCW 9A.04.080.

    (6) Nothing in RCW 9.94A.220 relating to discharge of an offender shall be construed as operating to relieve the offender of his or her duty to register pursuant to RCW 9A.44.130.

 


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