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

Washington's SRA grid at RCW 9.94A.510 uses offense seriousness level (I–XVI) on one axis and offender score (0–9+) on the other to determine the standard sentence range.

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

Washington defines recklessness as consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk that a result will occur or that a circumstance exists.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Premeditated intent to cause death

Answer

Washington first-degree murder requires premeditated intent to cause the death of another person or the commission of specified felonies with resulting death.

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

RCW 9.94A.570 mandates life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for persistent offenders convicted of a third most serious offense (three strikes law).

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

Washington's felony murder rule applies only when death results from the commission or attempted commission of specified inherently dangerous felonies, not from any felony.

WA Bar - Washington Bar Exam Practice Test

WA Bar - Washington Bar Exam Practice Test

WA Bar Washington Criminal Law