# RCW 9A.04.020: RCW 9A.04.020: Purposes—Principles of construction

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S020

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 9A.04.020
- **Heading:** RCW 9A.04.020: Purposes—Principles of construction
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 9A / Chapter 04 / Section 020

## Text

(1) The general purposes of the provisions governing the definition of offenses are: (a) To forbid and prevent conduct that inflicts or threatens substantial harm to individual or public interests; (b) To safeguard conduct that is without culpability from condemnation as criminal; (c) To give fair warning of the nature of the conduct declared to constitute an offense; (d) To differentiate on reasonable grounds between serious and minor offenses, and to prescribe proportionate penalties for each. (2) The provisions of this title shall be construed according to the fair import of their terms but when the language is susceptible of differing constructions it shall be interpreted to further the general purposes stated in this title.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 9A.04.010 RCW 9A.04.010: Title, effective date, application, severability, captions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S010.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.020 RCW 9A.04.020: Purposes—Principles of construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S020.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.030 RCW 9A.04.030: State criminal jurisdiction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S030.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.040 RCW 9A.04.040: Classes of crimes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S040.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.050 RCW 9A.04.050: People capable of committing crimes—Capability of children.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S050.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.060 RCW 9A.04.060: Common law to supplement statute.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S060.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.070 RCW 9A.04.070: Who amenable to criminal statutes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S070.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.080 RCW 9A.04.080: Limitation of actions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S080.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.090 RCW 9A.04.090: Application of general provisions of the code.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S090.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.100 RCW 9A.04.100: Proof beyond a reasonable doubt.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S100.md)
- [RCW 9A.04.110 RCW 9A.04.110: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S110.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S020. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.