Washington Code 77.15.650 – Unlawful purchase or use of a license — Penalty
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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(1) A person is guilty of unlawful purchase or use of a license in the second degree if the person buys, holds, uses, displays, transfers, or obtains any license, tag, permit, or approval required by this title and the person:
Attorney's Note
Under the Washington Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| class C felony | up to 5 years | up to $10,000 |
| gross misdemeanor | up to 364 days | up to $5,000 |
Terms Used In Washington Code 77.15.650
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- conviction: means a final conviction in a state or municipal court. See Washington Code 77.15.050
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- 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
(a) Uses false information to buy, hold, use, display, or obtain a license, permit, tag, or approval;
(b) Acquires, holds, or buys in excess of one license, permit, or tag for a license year if only one license, permit, or tag is allowed per license year;
(c) Except as authorized under RCW 77.32.565, uses or displays a license, permit, tag, or approval that was issued to another person;
(d) Except as authorized under RCW 77.32.565, permits or allows a license, permit, tag, or approval to be used or displayed by another person not named on the license, permit, tag, or approval;
(e) Acquires or holds a license while privileges for the license are revoked or suspended;
(f) Holds a resident license from another state or country. This subsection (1)(f) only applies if the Washington license, tag, permit, or approval that the person buys, holds, uses, displays, transfers, or obtains is a resident license. It is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section if any person who has a resident license from another state or country purchases a resident license, tag, permit, or approval in Washington. This subsection does not apply to individuals who meet the definition of “resident” in RCW 77.08.075 (2), (3), and (4).
(2) A person is guilty of unlawful purchase or use of a license in the first degree if the person commits the act described by subsection (1) of this section and the person was acting with intent that the license, permit, tag, or approval be used for any commercial purpose. A person is presumed to be acting with such intent if the violation involved obtaining, holding, displaying, or using a license or permit for participation in any commercial fishery issued under this title or a license authorizing fish or wildlife buying, trafficking, or wholesaling.
(3)(a) Unlawful purchase or use of a license in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the department shall revoke any unlawfully used or held licenses and order a two-year suspension of participation in the activities for which the person unlawfully obtained, held, or used a license, permit, tag, or approval.
(b) Unlawful purchase or use of a license in the first degree is a class C felony. Upon conviction, the department shall revoke any unlawfully used or held licenses and order a five-year suspension of participation in any activities for which the person unlawfully obtained, held, or used a license, permit, tag, or approval.
(4) For purposes of this section, a person “uses” a license, permit, tag, or approval if the person engages in any activity authorized by the license, permit, tag, or approval held or possessed by the person. Such uses include but are not limited to fishing, hunting, taking, trapping, delivery or landing fish or wildlife, and selling, buying, or wholesaling of fish or wildlife.
(5) Any license obtained in violation of this section is void upon issuance and is of no legal effect.
NOTES:
Short title—2008 c 10: See note following RCW 77.32.565.