Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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Cocaine is an illegal drug in all states, with separate charges for possession, sale, and trafficking. Washington cocaine laws are similar to those in other states. Simple possession can result in up to five (5) years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Defendants with relatively clean criminal records may qualify for a first-time offender waiver in their county or jurisdiction. This allows offenders to enter a drug treatment program, perform community service, and serve probation instead of prison time.
In the state of Washington, drug court is a court that has special calendars or dockets designed to work with non-violent offenders to reduce repeat crimes and substance abuse by increasing their likelihood for successful rehabilitation. The offender will need to complete judicially-supervised treatment, mandatory periodic drug testing, and the use of appropriate sanctions and incentives.
Maybe. It depends upon a number of factors. The minimum requirements are:
Drug dealers, beware. Cocaine is considered a "narcotic drug" under Washington State criminal laws. Why is that important? Simply put, if you are charged with the manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver (sales) cocaine in Washington State you are facing a B felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Washington's cocaine laws are summarized in the box below. See FindLaw's Drug Charges section for more articles and resources.
| Code Section | 69.50.101, et seq. |
| Possession | Up to 5 yrs. and/or $10,000 for any amount (may qualify for a first-time offender waiver or probation in lieu of incarceration); Subsequent offense: double penalties |
| Sale | Class B felony - (1) up to 10 yrs. and/or $25,000 for less than 2 kg.); (2) $100,000 and $50 for each g. in excess of 2 kg. Subsequent offense: up to double penalties; Sale within 1000 ft. of school: double penalties; Sale to minor: Class C felony |
| Trafficking | - |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact a Washington drug crime attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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