BARRATRY

RCW 9.12
in effect

RCW 9.12.010 Barratry.

Every person who brings on his or her own behalf, or instigates, incites, or encourages another to bring, any false suit at law or in equity in any court of this state, with intent thereby to distress or harass a defendant in the suit, or who serves or sends any paper or document purporting to be or resembling a judicial process, that is not in fact a judicial process, is guilty of a misdemeanor; and in case the person offending is an attorney, he or she may, in addition thereto be disbarred from practicing law within this state. Every person who brings on his or her own behalf, or instigates, incites, or encourages another to bring, any false suit at law or in equity in any court of this state, with intent thereby to distress or harass a defendant in the suit, or who serves or sends any paper or document purporting to be or resembling a judicial process, that is not in fact a judicial process, is guilty of a misdemeanor; and in case the person offending is an attorney, he or she may, in addition thereto be disbarred from practicing law within this state.

RCW 9.12.020 Buying, demanding, or promising reward by district judge or deputy.

Every district judge or deputy who shall, directly or indirectly, buy or be interested in buying anything in action for the purpose of commencing a suit thereon before a district judge, or who shall give or promise any valuable consideration to any person as an inducement to bring, or as a consideration for having brought, a suit before a district judge, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Every district judge or deputy who shall, directly or indirectly, buy or be interested in buying anything in action for the purpose of commencing a suit thereon before a district judge, or who shall give or promise any valuable consideration to any person as an inducement to bring, or as a consideration for having brought, a suit before a district judge, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.12&full=trueFetched: 6/28/2026

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