Chapter 9A.04
PRELIMINARY ARTICLES

Sections:

9A.04.001    Title, application and caption.

9A.04.002    Adoption of sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW)—Filing of code.

9A.04.003    Definitions.

9A.04.005    Preliminary articles adopted by reference.

9A.04.030    City criminal jurisdiction.

9A.04.040    Classes of crimes.

9A.04.080    Limitations of actions.

9A.04.001 Title, application and caption.

A.    This title shall be known as, and may be cited as, the criminal code.

B.    The provisions of this code do not apply to, or govern, the construction of and punishment for any offense committed prior to November 28, 2021, or to the construction and application of any defense to a prosecution for such an offense. Such an offense must be construed and punished according to the provisions of law existing at that time.

C.    Section captions are for organizational purposes only and shall not be construed as part of this code. (Ord. 1996-21 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021)

9A.04.002 Adoption of sections of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW)—Filing of code.

One copy of the text of every section of the Revised Code of Washington (referred to as the “RCW” herein) which is adopted by reference in this title, as now in effect and as may be subsequently amended, is on file with the city clerk prior to the introduction of the ordinance codified in this chapter and shall continue to be on file as required by RCW 35A.12.140 and made available for public use. (Ord. 1996-21 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021)

9A.04.003 Definitions.

As used throughout this title, the following acronyms shall have the corresponding meanings:

A.    “SWMC” is Sedro-Woolley Municipal Code;

B.    “RCW” is Revised Code of Washington; and

C.    “City” is the city of Sedro-Woolley. (Ord. 1996-21 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021)

9A.04.005 Preliminary articles adopted by reference.

The sections of this chapter are hereby adopted in table form in which each row of the table represents a separate section in which the titles of the adopted statutes are listed in the first column and the reference to their corresponding RCW section numbers are listed in the second column. Copies of the adopted code sections of this chapter are on file in the city clerk’s office. Each of the referenced provisions of the RCW in this table, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, is hereby adopted by reference as if fully set out herein to be a part of the Sedro-Woolley Municipal Code as preliminary articles:

Title

RCW Section (Source of Adopted Law)

Purposes—Principles of construction

9A.04.020

People capable of committing crimes—Capability of children

9A.04.050

Common law to supplement ordinance

9A.04.060

Who amenable to criminal ordinances

9A.04.070

Application of general provisions of the code

9A.04.090

Proof beyond a reasonable doubt

9A.04.100

Definitions

9A.04.110

(Ord. 1996-21 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021)

9A.04.030 City criminal jurisdiction.

The following persons are liable to punishment:

A.    A person who commits in the city any crime, as defined by city ordinance, in whole or in part.

B.    A person who commits out of the city any act which, if committed within it, would be theft and is afterward found in the city with any of the stolen property.

C.    A person who, being out of the city, counsels, causes, procures, aids or abets another to commit a crime in this city.

D.    A person who commits an act out of the city which affects persons or property within the city, which, if committed within the city, would be a crime.

E.    A person who, being out of the city, makes a statement, declaration, verification, or certification under RCW 9A.72.085 which, if made within the city, would be perjury.

F.    A person who commits an act on board a conveyance within the city of Sedro-Woolley, including the airspace over the city of Sedro-Woolley, that subsequently lands, docks, or stops within the city which, if committed within the city, would be a crime. (Ord. 1996-21 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021)

9A.04.040 Classes of crimes.

A.    An “offense,” defined by this title or by any other statute of this city, for which a sentence of imprisonment is authorized, constitutes a “violation” of city ordinance and a crime. For purposes of this title, the two terms shall have the same meaning and may be used interchangeably. Violations of city ordinances under this title are classified as gross misdemeanors or misdemeanors.

B.    A violation of a city ordinance under this title is a gross misdemeanor, if not otherwise designated by this code, and persons convicted thereof may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not in excess of three hundred sixty-four days. A violation of city ordinance is a misdemeanor, if so designated in this code, and persons convicted thereof may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not in excess of ninety days. (Ord. 1996-21 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021)

9A.04.080 Limitations of actions.

A.    No violation of city ordinance which is classified as a gross misdemeanor may be prosecuted more than two years after its commission. No violation of city ordinance classified as a misdemeanor may be prosecuted more than one year after its commission.

B.    The periods of limitation prescribed herein do not run during any time when the person charged is not usually and publicly residing within this state.

C.    If, before the end of a period of limitation prescribed herein, a complaint or information has been filed, and the complaint or information is set aside, then the period of limitation is extended by a period equal to the length of time from the filing to the setting aside. (Ord. 1996-21 § 2 (Exh. A), 2021)