{"id":377054,"date":"2018-06-11T15:37:06","date_gmt":"2018-06-11T20:37:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-burglary-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-05-12T16:43:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T21:43:34","slug":"washington-burglary-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-burglary-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Burglary Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Washington Burglary Laws<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Learn about Washington<\/span> burglary laws<\/span>, including first-degree<\/span> and second-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span> charges<\/span>, penalties, defenses, and when to contact an attorney at FindLaw.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you enter a building and take things that aren’t yours, you could end up facing a burglary conviction. Burglary charges<\/span> in Washington<\/span> are covered under Washington<\/span> state<\/span> law<\/a>. They focus on more than just unlawful entry<\/span>. The key issue is intent. A person commits burglary<\/a>\u200b when they enter or remain unlawfully in a building or a dwelling, with the intent to commit a crime against a person or property inside. These can include such as theft<\/a> and assault involving domestic violence<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Burglary is considered a serious offense<\/span> under Washington<\/span> criminal law<\/span> and can lead to significant criminal charges<\/span>. Read on to learn about possible penalties and defenses.<\/p>\n

Key Washington<\/span> Burglary Statutes<\/h2>\n

Washington<\/span> burglary laws<\/span> are found in the Revised Code of Washington<\/span><\/a>\u200b (RCW 9A<\/span>). The main statutes include:<\/p>\n