Statute of Limitations for Class A / Gross Misdemeanor in Washington

Overview

In Washington, the statute of limitations (often “SOL”) sets a deadline for the State to file a criminal charge after an alleged offense. For Class A misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors, the general SOL is 5 years, with specific carve-outs that can shorten the deadline to 3 years.

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator is designed to help you model those timelines quickly. You’ll input the filing-related facts you have (typically the date of the offense and the case category), and the calculator outputs the applicable deadline based on Washington’s limitation rules.

Limitation period

General rule: 5 years for Class A / gross misdemeanors

Washington’s criminal limitations framework is codified in RCW 9A.04.080. Under the general rule, the SOL for many offenses—including Class A misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors—is:

• 5 years

If the State files a charge after that 5-year window, it may be subject to dismissal on SOL grounds (depending on the circumstances and any applicable exceptions).

How to think about the timeline (practical framing)

When you’re mapping the deadline, treat the SOL as “from the offense date to the filing date.” Your core workflow is:

• Identify the offense date (the date the conduct occurred)
• Determine whether the charge falls into the Class A / gross misdemeanor category (and whether it matches the statute’s covered offenses)
• Apply the default 5-year period, unless an exception shortens it
• Compare the actual filing date (or the date charges were filed) to the calculated deadline

Common “input changes → output changes” in DocketMath

DocketMath’s calculator changes the output deadline when you select an exception-triggering category. In other words:

• Selecting the standard track yields a 5-year SOL.
• Selecting an exception track yields a 3-year SOL.
• If you don’t have enough facts to decide whether an exception applies, you’ll typically run multiple scenarios (standard vs. exception) to see the different deadlines.

Key exceptions

Washington law includes exceptions that can shorten the general SOL period. For RCW 9A.04.080, the sub-rules you’ll most often see reflected in calculator logic are:

Exception: 3-year SOL (RCW 9A.04.080(1)(j))

A key exception under RCW 9A.04.080 is:

• 3 years under **RCW 9A.04.080(1)(j)

In practice, this means that if the charged conduct fits the exception described in that subsection, the State’s time to file may shrink from 5 years to 3 years.

Two additional 3-year tracks (as modeled by DocketMath logic)

Your jurisdiction data also flags additional 3-year exception pathways:

• RCW 9A.04.080 — 3 years — exception V1
• — 3 years — exception V2

These are both modeled as 3-year alternatives to the default 5-year term. The calculator is built to reflect these distinct exception selections so you can compare outcomes.

What to do if you’re unsure which exception applies

If you can’t confidently determine whether RCW 9A.04.080(1)(j) (or the other 3-year exception categories) fits, don’t guess once and stop—run scenarios:

• Scenario A: Standard 5-year SOL
• Scenario B: 3-year exception SOL (for the exception selection(s) relevant to your fact pattern)

Then compare the resulting “latest filing dates.” The difference is often large enough to affect whether the SOL argument is facially timely.

Statute citation

RCW 9A.04.080 is the governing Washington statute for criminal limitations periods.

Based on the jurisdiction data used for DocketMath’s calculator:

• RCW 9A.04.080 — 5 years — exception P1
• RCW 9A.04.080(1)(j) — 3 years — exception V1
• — 3 years — exception V2

For your records and cross-checking:

If you’re preparing information for review, keep a clean checklist of:

• offense/incident date
• the charge category you’re assessing (Class A/gross misdemeanor framing)
• which exception selection you believe applies (or run multiple options)

Use the calculator

DocketMath’s statute-of-limitations calculator is the quickest way to convert dates into an actual deadline.

Primary CTA: /tools/statute-of-limitations

Inputs to expect

While the exact interface can differ slightly by update, the essential information you’ll provide typically includes:

• Date of the offense (start date for the SOL clock)
• Offense/charge selection that matches the limitation category
• Exception selection (choose default 5-year vs. the 3-year exception track if it fits your situation)

Output you should look for

After you run the calculation, focus on:

• the calculated “SOL expiration” date (the latest date the State can file, under the selected rule)
• whether you’re on the 5-year track or a 3-year exception track

How output changes based on exceptions (example structure)

Use this mental model when interpreting results:

• With 5 years: latest filing date = offense date + 5 years
• With 3 years: latest filing date = offense date + 3 years

So even if the offense date is the same, switching exception selections can shift the deadline by 2 years, which is often decisive.

Quick self-check list (before relying on the result)

Sources and references

Start with the primary authority for Washington and confirm the effective date before relying on any output. If the rule has been amended, update the inputs and rerun the calculation.

• RCW 4.16.080

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — How to choose the right calculator
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — Full how-to guide with jurisdiction-specific rules
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — How to choose the right calculator