CHAPTER 33
EXPOSING MINOR CHILD TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
SECTION:
6-33-3: Exposing Minor Child to Domestic Violence
6-33-4: Nonmerger of Domestic Violence Crimes
6-33-1 PURPOSE:
It is the intent of this chapter to acknowledge the detrimental effects that witnessing domestic violence has on minor children, and to punish those who perpetuate a cycle of domestic violence by committing acts of domestic violence that are witnessed by minor children. This chapter is intended to add additional punishment to violators who commit crimes of domestic violence if those crimes are witnessed by children. (Ord. 6109, 4-24-23)
6-33-2 DEFINITIONS:
A. “Domestic violence” shall have the same meaning set forth in Chapter 10.99 RCW or as may be amended.
B. “Immediate presence” means within sight of, within earshot of, or within the same room or cavity of a building, dwelling, vehicle, or other property.
C. “Minor child” means a person of less than eighteen (18) years of age at the time of the violation. (Ord. 6109, 4-24-23)
6-33-3 EXPOSING MINOR CHILD TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
A. A person commits the crime of exposing a minor child to domestic violence when he or she commits a crime of domestic violence, as defined by RCW 10.99.020, while knowingly in the immediate presence of a minor child.
B. Exposing a minor child to domestic violence is a gross misdemeanor. Any person convicted of this crime shall be sentenced to not less than thirty (30) days in jail. If the person convicted is sentenced to less than the maximum statutory sentence of three hundred and sixty-four (364) days in jail, the court shall place the defendant under court supervision and the court shall impose conditions of sentencing that include: successful completion of a Domestic Violence Victims Impact Panel, and an evidence-based treatment program, such as Domestic Violence Moral Reconation Treatment (DV-MRT). (Ord. 6109, 4-24-23)
6-33-4 NONMERGER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRIMES:
Every person who, in the commission of a crime of domestic violence, shall commit any other crime(s), may be punished for the other crime(s) as well as for the crime of domestic violence, and may be prosecuted for each crime separately. (Ord. 6109, 4-24-23)