Interfering With Reporting a Domestic Violence Crime is taken very seriously in Washington State and can carry severe penalties. A person can commit the crime of Interfering With Reporting DV when a person commits any Domestic Violence crime and interferes or prevents the alleged victim from calling 911, obtaining medical assistance or reporting the crime to the police.
The crime of Interfering With Reporting DV is a gross misdemeanor in Washington State and is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.
(1) A person commits the crime of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence if the person:
(a) Commits a crime of domestic violence, as defined in RCW 10.99.020; and
(b) Prevents or attempts to prevent the victim of or a witness to that domestic violence crime from calling a 911 emergency communication system, obtaining medical assistance, or making a report to any law enforcement official.
(2) Commission of a crime of domestic violence under subsection (1) of this section is a necessary element of the crime of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.
(3) Interference with the reporting of domestic violence is a gross misdemeanor.
