Source: http://cclme.org/viewcontents/?f=2-RCW_77-15.txt
Timestamp: 2018-01-17 14:55:36
Document Index: 211557830

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 2', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 7', '§ 9', '§ 41', '§ 24', '§ 5780', '§ 2', '§ 231', '§ 69', '§ 5', '§ 26', '§ 116', '§ 1', '§ 22', '§ 215', '§ 68', '§ 3', '§ 1', '§ 2', '§ 27', '§ 8', '§ 1', '§ 236', '§ 13', '§ 14', '§ 15', '§ 28', '§ 16', '§ 237', '§ 17', '§ 5', '§ 21', '§ 29', '§ 22', '§ 9', '§ 34', '§ 1', '§ 6', '§ 374', '§ 3', '§ 375', '§ 4', '§ 376', '§ 5', '§ 6', '§ 26', '§ 30']

Chapter 77.15 RCW Fish and wildlife enforcement code
Chapter 77.15 RCW
Fish and wildlife enforcement code
77.15.005
Finding — Intent.
[1998 c 190 § 1.]
77.15.010
Exemption for department actions.
A person is not guilty of a crime under this chapter if the person is an officer, employee, or agent of the department lawfully acting in the course of his or her authorized duties.
[1998 c 190 § 2.]
77.15.020
Authority to define violation of rule as infraction.
If the commission or director has authority to adopt a rule that is punishable as a crime under this chapter, then the commission or director may provide that violation of the rule shall be punished with notice of infraction under RCW 7.84.030. Neither the commission nor the director have the authority to adopt a rule providing that a violation punishable as an infraction shall be a crime.
[2005 c 321 § 2; 1998 c 190 § 3.]
77.15.030
Individual animal unlawfully taken — Separate offense.
77.15.040
District courts have jurisdiction concurrent with superior courts for misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors committed in violation of this chapter and may impose the punishment provided for these offenses. Superior courts have jurisdiction over felonies committed in violation of this chapter. Venue for offenses occurring in off-shore waters shall be in a county bordering on the Pacific Ocean, or the county where fish or wildlife from the offense are landed.
[1998 c 190 § 5.]
77.15.050
"Conviction" defined.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, as used in this chapter, "conviction" means a final conviction in a state or municipal court or an unvacated forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure the defendant's appearance in court. A plea of guilty, or a finding of guilt for a violation of this title or rule of the commission or director constitutes a conviction regardless of whether the imposition of sentence is deferred or the penalty is suspended.
[1998 c 190 § 6.]
77.15.060
Reference to chapters 7.84 and 9A.20 RCW.
Crimes defined by this chapter shall be punished as infractions, misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, or felonies, based on the classification of crimes set out in chapters 7.84 and 9A.20 RCW.
[1998 c 190 § 7.]
77.15.065
Authority of attorney general if prosecuting attorney defaults.
If the prosecuting attorney of the county in which a violation of this title or rule of the department occurs fails to file an information against the alleged violator, the attorney general upon request of the commission may file an information in the superior court of the county and prosecute the case in place of the prosecuting attorney. The commission may request prosecution by the attorney general if thirty days have passed since the commission informed the county prosecuting attorney of the alleged violation.
[1996 c 267 § 9; 1983 1st ex.s. c 46 § 41; 1949 c 112 § 24; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 5780-222. Formerly RCW 75.10.100, 75.08.275, 43.25.070.]
Notes: Intent -- Effective date -- 1996 c 267: See notes following RCW 77.12.177.
77.15.070
[2005 c 406 § 2; 2000 c 107 § 231; 1998 c 190 § 69.]
77.15.075
Enforcement authority of fish and wildlife officers.
77.15.080
Fish and wildlife officers — Inspection authority.
77.15.085
Seizure without warrant.
77.15.090
Search, arrest warrant — Issuance — Execution.
77.15.092
Notes: Legislative findings and intent -- 1987 c 506: See note following RCW 77.04.020.
77.15.094
Search without warrant — Seizure of evidence, property — Limitation.
77.15.096
Inspection without warrant — Commercial fish and wildlife entities — Limitations.
[2002 c 128 § 5; 2001 c 253 § 26; 1998 c 190 § 116; 1982 c 152 § 1; 1980 c 78 § 22. Formerly RCW 77.12.095.]
77.15.098
Willful misconduct/gross negligence — Civil liability.
(1) An authorized state, county, or municipal officer may be subject to civil liability under RCW 77.15.070 for willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties.
(2) The director, the fish and wildlife commission, or the department may be subject to civil liability for their willful or reckless misconduct in matters involving the seizure and forfeiture of personal property involved with fish or wildlife offenses.
[2000 c 107 § 215; 1993 sp.s. c 2 § 68; 1989 c 314 § 3. Formerly RCW 77.12.103.]
Finding -- 1989 c 314: "In order to improve the enforcement of wildlife laws it is important to increase the penalties upon poachers by seizing the conveyances and gear that are used in poaching activities and to cause forfeiture of those items to the department." [1989 c 314 § 1.]
Forfeited wildlife and articles — Disposition — Department authority — Sale.
Acting for commercial purposes — When — Proof.
(1) For purposes of this chapter, a person acts for commercial purposes if the person engages in conduct that relates to commerce in fish, seaweed, shellfish, or wildlife or any parts thereof. Commercial conduct may include taking, delivering, selling, buying, or trading fish, seaweed, shellfish, or wildlife where there is present or future exchange of money, goods, or any valuable consideration. Evidence that a person acts for commercial purposes includes, but is not limited to, the following conduct:
(c) Delivering or attempting to deliver fish, seaweed, shellfish, or wildlife to a person who sells or resells fish, seaweed, shellfish, or wildlife including any licensed or unlicensed wholesaler;
(f) Selling or dealing in raw furs; or
(g) Performing taxidermy service on fish, shellfish, or wildlife belonging to another person for a fee or receipt of goods or services.
[2002 c 127 § 2; 2001 c 253 § 27; 1998 c 190 § 8.]
Notes: Intent -- 2002 c 127: "The legislature intends to clarify that when a crime under chapter 77.15 RCW requires proof that a person acted for commercial purposes, that element refers to engaging in particular conduct that is commercial in nature and the element does not imply that a particular state of mind must exist. This act revises the existing definition of that element to confirm that the element is fulfilled by engaging in commercial conduct and to eliminate any implication that a particular mental state of mind must be shown. Examples are given of the type of conduct that may be considered as evidence that a person acts for a commercial purpose; however, these examples do not create a conclusive presumption that a person acts for a commercial purpose." [2002 c 127 § 1.]
Endangered fish or wildlife — Unlawful taking — Penalty.
(1) A person is guilty of unlawful taking of endangered fish or wildlife in the second degree if the person hunts, fishes, possesses, maliciously harasses or kills fish or wildlife, or maliciously destroys the nests or eggs of fish or wildlife and the fish or wildlife is designated by the commission as endangered, and the taking has not been authorized by rule of the commission.
[2000 c 107 § 236; 1998 c 190 § 13.]
77.15.130
Protected fish or wildlife — Unlawful taking — Penalty.
(a) The person hunts, fishes, possesses, or maliciously kills protected fish or wildlife, or the person possesses or maliciously destroys the eggs or nests of protected fish or wildlife, and the taking has not been authorized by rule of the commission; or
(b) The person violates any rule of the commission regarding the taking, harming, harassment, possession, or transport of protected fish or wildlife.
[1998 c 190 § 14.]
77.15.140
Unclassified fish or wildlife — Unlawful taking — Penalty.
(1) A person is guilty of unlawful taking of unclassified fish or wildlife if:
(a) The person kills, hunts, fishes, takes, holds, possesses, transports, or maliciously injures or harms fish or wildlife that is not classified as big game, game fish, game animals, game birds, food fish, shellfish, protected wildlife, or endangered wildlife; and
(b) The act violates any rule of the commission or the director.
(2) Unlawful taking of unclassified fish or wildlife is a misdemeanor.
[1998 c 190 § 15.]
77.15.150
Poison or explosives — Unlawful use — Penalty.
(1) A person is guilty of unlawful use of poison or explosives if:
(a) The person lays out, sets out, or uses a drug, poison, or other deleterious substance that kills, injures, harms, or endangers fish, shellfish, or wildlife, except if the person is using the substance in compliance with federal and state laws and label instructions; or
(b) The person lays out, sets out, or uses an explosive that kills, injures, harms, or endangers fish, shellfish, or wildlife, except if authorized by law or permit of the director.
(2) Unlawful use of poison or explosives is a gross misdemeanor.
[2001 c 253 § 28; 1998 c 190 § 16.]
77.15.160
Infractions — Record catch — Barbed hooks — Other rule violations.
(3) Violates any other rule of the commission or director that is designated by rule as an infraction.
[2000 c 107 § 237; 1998 c 190 § 17.]
77.15.170
Waste of fish and wildlife — Penalty.
(1) A person is guilty of waste of fish and wildlife in the second degree if:
(a) The person kills, takes, or possesses fish, shellfish, or wildlife and the value of the fish, shellfish, or wildlife is greater than twenty dollars but less than two hundred fifty dollars; and
(b) The person recklessly allows such fish, shellfish, or wildlife to be wasted.
(2) A person is guilty of waste of fish and wildlife in the first degree if:
(a) The person kills, takes, or possesses fish, shellfish, or wildlife having a value of two hundred fifty dollars or more or wildlife classified as big game; and
(3)(a) Waste of fish and wildlife in the second degree is a misdemeanor.
(b) Waste of fish and wildlife in the first degree is a gross misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the department shall revoke any license or tag used in the crime and shall order suspension of the person's privileges to engage in the activity in which the person committed waste of fish and wildlife in the first degree for a period of one year.
(4) It is prima facie evidence of waste if a processor purchases or engages a quantity of food fish, shellfish, or game fish that cannot be processed within sixty hours after the food fish, game fish, or shellfish are taken from the water, unless the food fish, game fish, or shellfish are preserved in good marketable condition.
[1999 c 258 § 5; 1998 c 190 § 21.]
77.15.180
Unlawful interference with fishing or hunting gear — Penalty.
(5) A person is not in violation of unlawful interference with fishing or hunting gear if the person removes a trap placed on property owned, leased, or rented by the person.
[2001 c 253 § 29; 1998 c 190 § 22.]
77.15.190
Unlawful trapping — Penalty.
(a) Sets out traps that are capable of taking wild animals, game animals, or furbearing mammals and does not possess all licenses, tags, or permits required under this title;
(b) Violates any rule of the commission or director regarding seasons, bag or possession limits, closed areas including game reserves, closed times, or any other rule governing the trapping of wild animals; or
[1999 c 258 § 9; 1998 c 190 § 34.]
77.15.191
Revocation of trapper's license — Placement of unauthorized traps.
77.15.192
Notes: Finding -- 2001 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 713): "The people of the state of Washington find that this act is necessary in order to protect people and domestic pets and to protect and conserve wildlife from the dangers of cruel and indiscriminate steel-jawed leghold traps and poisons, and to encourage the use of humane methods of trapping when trapping is necessary to ensure public health and safety, protect livestock or property, safeguard threatened and endangered species, or conduct field research on wildlife." [2001 c 1 § 1 (Initiative Measure No. 713, approved November 7, 2000).]
Severability -- 2001 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 713): "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2001 c 1 § 6 (Initiative Measure No. 713, approved November 7, 2000).]
77.15.194
Unlawful traps — Penalty.
[2003 c 53 § 374; 2001 c 1 § 3 (Initiative Measure No. 713, approved November 7, 2000).]
Finding -- Severability -- 2001 c 1 (Initiative Measure No. 713): See notes following RCW 77.15.192.
77.15.196
Unlawful poison — Penalty.
(1) It is unlawful to poison or attempt to poison any animal using sodium fluoroacetate, also known as compound 1080, or sodium cyanide.
[2003 c 53 § 375; 2001 c 1 § 4 (Initiative Measure No. 713, approved November 7, 2000).]
77.15.198
Violation of RCW 77.15.194 or 77.15.196 — Penalty.
In addition to appropriate criminal penalties, the director shall revoke the trapping license of any person convicted of a violation of RCW 77.15.194 or 77.15.196. The director shall not issue the violator a trapping license for a period of five years following the revocation. Following a subsequent conviction for a violation of RCW 77.15.194 or 77.15.196 by the same person, the director shall not issue a trapping license to the person at any time.
[2003 c 53 § 376; 2001 c 1 § 5 (Initiative Measure No. 713, approved November 7, 2000).]
77.15.210
77.15.212
Damages due to violation of RCW 77.15.210 — Civil action.
77.15.220
Unlawful posting — Penalty.
77.15.230
Department lands or facilities — Unlawful use — Penalty.
(1) A person is guilty of unlawful use of department lands or facilities if the person enters upon, uses, or remains upon department-owned or department-controlled lands or facilities in violation of any rule of the department.
(2) Unlawful use of department lands or facilities is a misdemeanor.
[1999 c 258 § 6; 1998 c 190 § 26.]
77.15.240
Unlawful use of dogs — Public nuisance — Penalty.
[1998 c 190 § 30.]
77.15.245
Unlawful practices — Black bear baiting — Exceptions — Illegal hunting — Use of dogs — Exceptions — Penalties.
(4) A person who violates subsection (1) or (2) of this section is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. In addition to appropriate criminal penalties, the department shall revoke the hunting license of a person who violates subsection (1) or (2) of this section and order the suspension of wildlife hunting privileges for a period of five years following the revocation. Following a subsequent violation of subsection (1) or (2) of this section by the same person, a hunting license shall not be issued to the person at any time. (continued)