Washington Assault 4 Sentencing Calculator (RCW 9A.36.041)

Assault 4 Classification Scenarios

Important Disclaimers

• ⚠Assault 4 is typically a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
• ⚠It becomes a Class C felony (up to 5 years / 60 months in prison and $10,000 fine) if: (1) it involves a repeat domestic violence offense within 10 years, or (2) the victim is a protected person (law enforcement officer, firefighter, nurse, transit operator, etc.).
• ⚠A domestic violence designation does not increase the maximum jail time but adds severe collateral consequences including firearm prohibition, no-contact orders, and mandatory treatment.
• ⚠Judges have discretion to impose any sentence up to the statutory maximum, including probation, suspended sentences, or jail time.
• ⚠First-time offenders may be eligible for deferred prosecution, pre-trial diversion, or other alternatives to conviction.
• ⚠This is an educational tool. Actual outcomes depend on case-specific facts, prior criminal history, mitigating factors, and prosecutorial discretion. Always consult a qualified attorney.

About Assault 4 in Washington State

How to Use This Calculator

1. 1
   Select Domestic Violence Designation: Toggle on if the charge includes a domestic violence (DV) designation (typically when the victim is a family or household member under RCW 10.99.020).
2. 2
   Indicate Repeat DV Offense: If the defendant has a prior DV conviction within the past 10 years, check this box. This elevates the charge from gross misdemeanor to Class C felony.
3. 3
   Choose Victim Type: Select whether the victim is a general person, a protected official (law enforcement, firefighter, nurse, transit operator), or other protected status. Protected victims trigger felony classification.
4. 4
   Calculate Classification: Click "Calculate Classification" to see the offense classification, maximum penalties, and applicable legal consequences.
5. 5
   Review Results: The calculator shows the classification (gross misdemeanor or felony), maximum jail time, maximum fine, DV effects (if applicable), and legal references.

Important Notes

• •
  Assault 4 is a gross misdemeanor by default (up to 364 days jail, $5,000 fine).
• •
  It becomes a Class C felony (up to 5 years / 60 months prison, $10,000 fine) if it involves a repeat DV offense within 10 years or a protected victim.
• •
  The domestic violence designation does not increase maximum jail time but adds mandatory firearm prohibition, no-contact orders, and treatment requirements.
• •
  Assault 4 does not use the Sentencing Reform Act grid as a gross misdemeanor. Judges have discretionary sentencing within statutory maximums.
• •
  If charged as a Class C felony, sentencing follows the presumptive range on the Washington sentencing grid based on the defendant's offender score.
• •
  Protected victims include law enforcement officers, firefighters, healthcare workers (nurses, doctors, EMTs), transit operators, judicial officers, and corrections employees acting in their official capacity.
• •
  First-time offenders may be eligible for deferred prosecution (RCW 10.05), pre-trial diversion programs, or other alternatives that avoid a conviction on their record.
• •
  Even without jail time, an Assault 4 conviction (especially with DV) has serious collateral consequences including firearm prohibition, immigration impact, and employment restrictions.