# RCW 9A.04.050: RCW 9A.04.050: People capable of committing crimes—Capability of children

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T9A_C04_S050

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 9A.04.050
- **Heading:** RCW 9A.04.050: People capable of committing crimes—Capability of children
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 9A / Chapter 04 / Section 050

## Text

Children under the age of eight years are incapable of committing crime. Children of eight and under twelve years of age are presumed to be incapable of committing crime, but this presumption may be removed by proof that they have sufficient capacity to understand the act or neglect, and to know that it was wrong. Whenever in legal proceedings it becomes necessary to determine the age of a child, he or she may be produced for inspection, to enable the court or jury to determine the age thereby; and the court may also direct his or her examination by one or more physicians, whose opinion shall be competent evidence upon the question of his or her age.

## 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_S050. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.