Wash. Rev. Code § 7.69A.020

Current through 2024

Section 7.69A.020 - Definitions

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Crime" means an act punishable as a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor under the laws of this state or equivalent federal or local law.

(2) "Child" means any living child under the age of eighteen years.

(3) "Victim" means a living person against whom a crime has been committed.

(4) "Witness" means a person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for the prosecution in a criminal action, or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution, whether or not an action or proceeding has been commenced.

(5) "Family member" means child, parent, or legal guardian.

(6) "Advocate" means any person, including a family member not accused of a crime, who provides support to a child victim or child witness during any legal proceeding.

(7) "Court proceedings" means any court proceeding conducted during the course of the prosecution of a crime committed against a child victim, including pretrial hearings, trial, sentencing, or appellate proceedings.

(8) "Identifying information" means the child's name, address, location, and photograph, and in cases in which the child is a relative or stepchild of the alleged perpetrator, identification of the relationship between the child and the alleged perpetrator.

(9) "Crime victim/witness program" means any crime victim and witness program of a county or local law enforcement agency or prosecutor's office, any rape crisis center's sexual assault victim advocacy program as provided in chapter 70.125 RCW, any domestic violence program's legal and community advocate program for domestic violence victims as provided in chapter 70.123 RCW, or any other crime victim advocacy program which provides trained advocates to assist crime victims during the investigation and prosecution of the crime.

RCW 7.69A.020

1993 c 350 § 7; 1992 c 188 § 2; 1985 c 394 § 2.

Findings-1993 c 350: See note following RCW 7.69.020.

Findings-Intent-1992 c 188: "The legislature recognizes that the cooperation of child victims of sexual assault and their families is integral to the successful prosecution of sexual assaults against children. The legislature finds that release of information identifying child victims of sexual assault may subject the child to unwanted contacts by the media, public scrutiny and embarrassment, and places the child victim and the victim's family at risk when the assailant is not in custody. Release of information to the press and the public harms the child victim and has a chilling effect on the willingness of child victims and their families to report sexual abuse and to cooperate with the investigation and prosecution of the crime. The legislature further finds that public dissemination of the child victim's name and other identifying information is not essential to accurate and necessary release of information to the public concerning the operation of the criminal justice system. Therefore, the legislature intends to assure child victims of sexual assault and their families that the identities and locations of child victims will remain confidential." [ 1992 c 188 s 1.]

Severability-1992 c 188: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1992 c 188 s 10.]