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.

NOTES:

PurposeEffective date2001 c 310: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Effective date1995 c 285: See RCW 48.30A.900.
Attorneys-at-law: Chapter 2.44 RCW.
State bar act: Chapter 2.48 RCW.

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Terms Used In Washington Code 9.12.010

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • 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