Washington § 9A.76.190 - Failure to appear or surrender — Affirmative defense — Penalty.

Full text of Washington Revised Code of Washington § 9A.76.190 — Failure to appear or surrender — Affirmative defense — Penalty., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 9A.76.190. Failure to appear or surrender — Affirmative defense — Penalty.

(1)(a) A person is guilty of failure to appear or surrender if he or she is released by court order or admitted to bail, has received written notice of the requirement of a subsequent personal appearance before any court of this state or of the requirement to report to a correctional facility for service of sentence, and fails to appear or fails to surrender for service of sentence as required; and
(b)(i) Within thirty days of the issuance of a warrant for failure to appear or surrender, does not make a motion with the court to quash the warrant, and if a motion is made under this subsection, he or she does not appear before the court with respect to the motion; or
(ii) Has had a prior warrant issued based on a prior incident of failure to appear or surrender for the present cause for which he or she is being held or charged or has been convicted.
(2) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this section that uncontrollable circumstances prevented the person from appearing or surrendering, that the person did not contribute to the creation of such circumstances by negligently disregarding the requirement to appear or surrender, and that the person appeared or surrendered as soon as such circumstances ceased to exist.
(3) Failure to appear or surrender is:
(a) A gross misdemeanor if the person was held for, charged with, or convicted of a felony; or
(b) A misdemeanor if the person was held for, charged with, or convicted of a gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor.
[ 2020 c 19 s 2.]

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Washington § 9A.76.190

What does Revised Code of Washington § 9A.76.190 cover?

Section 9A.76.190 ("Failure to appear or surrender — Affirmative defense — Penalty.") 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.

How do I cite Washington § 9A.76.190?

A common citation format is "Revised Code of Washington § 9A.76.190" (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 § 9A.76.190 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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