{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-9.94a.010","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 9.94A.010","heading":"Purpose.","body":"The purpose of this chapter is to make the criminal justice system accountable to the public by developing a system for the sentencing of felony offenders which structures, but does not eliminate, discretionary decisions affecting sentences, and to:\n(1) Ensure that the punishment for a criminal offense is proportionate to the seriousness of the offense and the offender's criminal history;\n(2) Promote respect for the law by providing punishment which is just;\n(3) Be commensurate with the punishment imposed on others committing similar offenses;\n(4) Protect the public;\n(5) Offer the offender an opportunity to improve himself or herself;\n(6) Make frugal use of the state's and local governments' resources; and\n(7) Reduce the risk of reoffending by offenders in the community.","path":["Title 9","Chapter 9.94A"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.94A.010","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T00:48:27Z","sha256":"dc4fefacf614857f899baaddc1c79210ea30b1794a8f5d5a623cbfa1ad3b6df1","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-9.94.070","next":"us-wa/rcw-9.94a.015"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}