WA Bar Washington Criminal Law

Question 1

Washington uses a Sentencing Reform Act (SRA) grid. What are the two axes of the standard range grid?

Accepted Answer

Offense seriousness level and offender score

Answer

Offense severity and defendant's age

Answer

Offense class and victim impact

Answer

Prior convictions and offense type

Question 2

Under RCW 9A.08.010, Washington's 'recklessness' mens rea requires the defendant to:

Accepted Answer

Be aware of and disregard a substantial and unjustifiable risk

Answer

Know that a result is practically certain to occur

Answer

Fail to perceive a risk that a reasonable person would have perceived

Answer

Intend to cause a specific result

Question 3

In Washington, first-degree murder under RCW 9A.32.030 requires which mental state?

Accepted Answer

Premeditated intent to cause death

Answer

Negligence

Answer

Recklessness

Answer

Knowledge

Question 4

Under Washington's Persistent Offender Accountability Act ('three strikes'), a persistent offender convicted of a third most serious offense receives which sentence?

Accepted Answer

Life in prison without possibility of parole

Answer

Double the standard range

Answer

Mandatory minimum of 25 years

Answer

Life in prison with parole eligibility after 30 years

Question 5

Washington's 'felony murder' doctrine under RCW 9A.32.030(1)(c) imposes murder liability when a death results from:

Accepted Answer

One of the enumerated dangerous felonies such as robbery or rape

Answer

Any felony committed by the defendant

Answer

Any crime regardless of the defendant's intent

Answer

A misdemeanor if it was committed recklessly

Question 6

Under Washington law, what is the statute of limitations for prosecuting a class A felony?

Accepted Answer

No limitation period

Answer

6 years

Answer

10 years

Answer

20 years