Hindering law enforcement
Seattle Mun. Code § 12A.16.020
in effect12A.16.020 - Hindering law enforcement
A. As used in this Section 12A.16.020, "detention facility" means any place used for the confinement of a person:
1. Arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime;
2. Charged with being or adjudicated to be a juvenile offender, as defined in RCW 13.40.020;
3. Held for extradition or as a material witness;
4. Otherwise confined pursuant to an order of a court, except an order under chapter 13.32A or 13.34 RCW; or
5. In any work release, furlough, or other such facility or program.
B. As used in this Section 12A.16.020 "relative" means a person who:
1. Is related as husband, wife, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, stepchild, or stepparent to the person of whom the actor intends to prevent, hinder, or delay the apprehension or prosecution; and
2. Does not hinder law enforcement in one or more of the means defined in subsections 12A.16.020.C.4, 12A.16.020.C.5 or 12A.16.020.C.6.
C. A person is guilty of hindering law enforcement if with, intent to prevent, hinder, or delay the apprehension or prosecution of another person who he or she knows has committed a crime or juvenile offense, is being sought by law enforcement officials for the commission of a crime or juvenile offense, or has escaped from a detention facility, he or she:
1. Harbors or conceals such person; or
2. Warns such person of impending discovery or of apprehension; or
3. Provides such person with money, transportation, disguise, or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension; or
4. Prevents or obstructs, by use of force, deception, or threat, anyone from performing an act that might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person; or
5. Conceals, alters, or destroys any physical evidence that might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person; or
6. Provide such person with a weapon.
D. Except as provided by subsection 12A.16.020.E, hindering law enforcement is a gross misdemeanor.
E. Hindering law enforcement is a misdemeanor if:
1. The person of whom the actor intends to prevent, hinder, or delay the apprehension or prosecution has committed or is being sought for a class B felony, a class C felony, an equivalent juvenile offense, or violation of parole, probation, or community supervision and it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that the actor is a relative; or
2. The person of whom the actor intends to prevent, hinder, or delay the apprehension or prosecution has committed a gross misdemeanor or a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 123633, § 9, 2011; Ord. 117156, § 3, 1994; Ord. 102843, § 12A.20.050, 1973.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT12ACRCO_SUBTITLE_ICRCO_CH12A.16OFAGGOOR_12A.16.020HILAENFetched: 11/1/2026