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Sentencing

In Washington, as in all states, sentencing is prescribed by the judicial court system after an individual has either been found guilty or pled to a charge. For more information, visit the Washington Courts website. See below for sentencing information provided by the Department.

The State of Washington utilizes a determinate sentencing grid for the majority of crimes but has indeterminate sentencing reserved for a few crime types. Capital punishment remains a sentencing possibility for a select few crime types. There are also several sentencing alternatives available to the judicial system in lieu of, or in addition to, a period of confinement for a convicted individual. These sentencing alternatives are Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative (DOSA), Parenting Sentencing Alternative (PSA), and Special Sex Offender Sentencing Alternative (SSOSA).

Resources

Policies

Below are Department of Corrections (DOC) policies that apply to sentencing.

Forms

Below are Department of Corrections (DOC), Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and Health Care Authority (HCA) forms which are applicable for each program.

Community Parenting Alternative (CPA)
Family & Offender Sentencing Alternative (FOSA)

Laws & Regulations

Below are state laws (RCWs) that apply to and/or relate to sentencing.

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

Publications & Job Aids

Below are Department of Corrections (DOC) publications and job aids that apply to sentencing.

Brochures
Fact Sheets
Handbooks/Guides
Job Aids

Resource Links

Parenting Sentencing Alternatives (FOSA & CPA)
Online Publications: Reports & Studies
Other