Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness Committee |
SSB 6293
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to rendering criminal assistance in the first degree.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Judiciary (originally sponsored by Senators Brandland and Carrell).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/17/10
Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).
Background:
A person commits the crime of Rendering Criminal Assistance if the person, in any of a variety of ways, tries to hinder the apprehension or prosecution of a person who has committed an offense.
The ways in which a person may commit the crime include the following: harboring or concealing the offender; warning the offender of impending apprehension; giving the offender money, transportation, or disguise; committing an act of force, threat, or deception to prevent apprehension; concealing, altering, or destroying physical evidence; and giving the offender a weapon.
Rendering Criminal Assistance in the first degree is a seriousness level V, class C felony offense if the person is not related to the offender and the crime the offender committed, or is being sought for, is a class A felony. The crime is a gross misdemeanor when the person is related to the offender.
Rendering Criminal Assistance in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor offense if the person is not related to the offender and the crime the offender committed, or is being sought for, is a class B or C felony offense or a violation of parole, probation, or community supervision. If the person is a relative of the offender then the crime of Rendering Criminal Assistance is a misdemeanor offense.
Rendering Criminal Assistance in the third degree is a misdemeanor offense if the person renders criminal assistance to a person who has committed a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor offense.
A "relative" is defined as a person who is related as: husband, wife, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, step‑child, or step-parent to the person to whom criminal assistance is rendered.
Summary of Bill:
The penalty for the crime of Rendering Criminal Assistance in the first degree is increased. Rendering Criminal Assistance is increased to a class B felony offense if the person is not related to the offender and the crime is increased to a seriousness level III, class C felony offense when the person is related to the offender.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.