Washington § 46.52.080 - Confidentiality of reports — Information required to be disclosed — Evidence.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 46.52.080 — Confidentiality of reports — Information required to be disclosed — Evidence., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 46.52.080. Confidentiality of reports — Information required to be disclosed — Evidence.

All required accident reports and supplemental reports and copies thereof shall be without prejudice to the individual so reporting and shall be for the confidential use of the county prosecuting attorney and chief of police or county sheriff, as the case may be, and the director of licensing and the chief of the Washington state patrol, and other officer or commission as authorized by law, except that any such officer shall disclose the names and addresses of persons reported as involved in an accident or as witnesses thereto, the vehicle license plate numbers and descriptions of vehicles involved, and the date, time and location of an accident, to any person who may have a proper interest therein, including the driver or drivers involved, or the legal guardian thereof, the parent of a minor driver, any person injured therein, the owner of vehicles or property damaged thereby, or any authorized representative of such an interested party, or the attorney or insurer thereof. No such accident report or copy thereof shall be used as evidence in any trial, civil or criminal, arising out of an accident, except that any officer above named for receiving accident reports shall furnish, upon demand of any person who has, or who claims to have, made such a report, or, upon demand of any court, a certificate showing that a specified accident report has or has not been made to the chief of the Washington state patrol solely to prove a compliance or a failure to comply with the requirement that such a report be made in the manner required by law: PROVIDED, That the reports may be used as evidence when necessary to prosecute charges filed in connection with a violation of RCW 46.52.088.
[ 1979 c 158 s 162; 1975 c 62 s 15; 1967 c 32 s 58; 1965 ex.s. c 119 s 3; 1961 c 12 s 46.52.080. Prior: 1937 c 189 s 140; RRS s 6360-140.]

Notes

Severability—1975 c 62: See note following RCW 36.75.010.

Source: official Washington text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 46.52.080

What does Revised Code of Washington § 46.52.080 cover?

Section 46.52.080 ("Confidentiality of reports — Information required to be disclosed — Evidence.") is part of the Revised Code of Washington, the codified statutory law of Washington. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

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A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 46.52.080" (Washington). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Washington law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Washington official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Washington attorney.

How does Washington § 46.52.080 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Washington can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

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