(1) A witness or a person who has reason to believe he or she is about to be called as a witness in any official proceeding or that he or she may have information relevant to a criminal investigation or the abuse or neglect of a minor child is guilty of bribe receiving by a witness if he or she requests, accepts, or agrees to accept any benefit pursuant to an agreement or understanding that:

Attorney's Note

Under the Washington Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class B felonyup to 10 yearsup to $20,000
For details, see Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.20.021

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Terms Used In Washington Code 9A.72.100

  • Official proceeding: means a proceeding heard before any legislative, judicial, administrative, or other government agency or official authorized to hear evidence under oath, including any referee, hearing examiner, commissioner, notary, or other person taking testimony or depositions;
Washington Code 9A.72.010
  • person: may be construed to include the United States, this state, or any state or territory, or any public or private corporation or limited liability company, as well as an individual. See Washington Code 1.16.080
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • (a) The person’s testimony will thereby be influenced; or
    (b) The person will attempt to avoid legal process summoning him or her to testify; or
    (c) The person will attempt to absent himself or herself from an official proceeding to which he or she has been legally summoned; or
    (d) The person will not report information he or she has relevant to a criminal investigation or the abuse or neglect of a minor child.
    (2) Bribe receiving by a witness is a class B felony.

    NOTES:

    Finding1994 c 271: See note following RCW 9A.72.090.
    PurposeSeverability1994 c 271: See notes following RCW 9A.28.020.
    Severability1982 1st ex.s. c 47: See note following RCW 9.41.190.