Unlawfully summoning a law enforcement officer — Civil action.
RCW 4.24.345
in effect(1) A person may bring a civil action for damages against any person who knowingly causes a law enforcement officer to arrive at a location to contact another person with the intent to: (a) Infringe on the other person's rights under the Washington state or United States Constitutions; (b) Unlawfully discriminate against the other person; (c) Cause the other person to feel harassed, humiliated, or embarrassed; (d) Cause the other person to be expelled from a place in which the other person is lawfully located; or (e) Damage the other person's: (i) Reputation or standing in the community; or (ii) Financial, economic, consumer, or business prospects or interests. (2) A person shall not be held liable under subsection (1) of this section if the person acted in good faith in causing a law enforcement officer to arrive. (3) Upon prevailing in an action under this section, the plaintiff may recover: (a) The greater of: (i) Economic and noneconomic damages; or (ii) $250 against each defendant found liable under this section; and (b) Punitive damages. (4) The court may award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing plaintiff in an action under this section. (5) A civil action under this section: (a) May be maintained in a court of limited jurisdiction if the total damages claimed do not exceed the statutory limit for damages that the court of limited jurisdiction may award; and (b) Does not affect a right or remedy available under any other law of this state.
(1) A person may bring a civil action for damages against any person who knowingly causes a law enforcement officer to arrive at a location to contact another person with the intent to:
(a) Infringe on the other person's rights under the Washington state or United States Constitutions;
(b) Unlawfully discriminate against the other person;
(c) Cause the other person to feel harassed, humiliated, or embarrassed;
(d) Cause the other person to be expelled from a place in which the other person is lawfully located; or
(e) Damage the other person's:
(i) Reputation or standing in the community; or
(ii) Financial, economic, consumer, or business prospects or interests.
(2) A person shall not be held liable under subsection (1) of this section if the person acted in good faith in causing a law enforcement officer to arrive.
(3) Upon prevailing in an action under this section, the plaintiff may recover:
(a) The greater of:
(i) Economic and noneconomic damages; or
(ii) $250 against each defendant found liable under this section; and
(b) Punitive damages.
(4) The court may award reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing plaintiff in an action under this section.
(5) A civil action under this section:
(a) May be maintained in a court of limited jurisdiction if the total damages claimed do not exceed the statutory limit for damages that the court of limited jurisdiction may award; and
(b) Does not affect a right or remedy available under any other law of this state.
Source: WA Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=4.24&full=trueFetched: 6/28/2026