7.48.050 - Moral nuisances -- Definitions. - Washington Statutes

Moral nuisances — Definitions.

The definitions set forth in this section shall apply throughout this chapter as they relate to moral nuisances.

     (1) "Knowledge" or "knowledge of such nuisance" means having knowledge of the contents and character of the patently offensive sexual conduct which appears in the lewd matter, or knowledge of the acts of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution which occur on the premises.

     (2) "Lewd matter" is synonymous with "obscene matter" and means any matter:

     (a) Which the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find, when considered as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; and

     (b) Which depicts or describes patently offensive representations or descriptions of:

     (i) Ultimate sexual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated; or

     (ii) Masturbation, excretory functions, or lewd exhibition of the genitals or genital area.

Nothing herein contained is intended to include or proscribe any matter which, when considered as a whole, and in the context in which it is used, possesses serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

     (3) "Lewdness" shall have and include all those meanings which are assigned to it under the common law.

     (4) "Live performance" means any play, show, skit, dance, or other exhibition performed or presented to or before an audience of one or more, in person or by electronic transmission, with or without consideration.

     (5) "Matter" shall mean a live performance, a motion picture film, or a publication or any combination thereof.

     (6) "Moral nuisance" means a nuisance which is injurious to public morals.

     (7) "Motion picture film" shall include any:

     (a) Film or plate negative;

     (b) Film or plate positive;

     (c) Film designed to be projected on a screen for exhibition;

     (d) Films, glass slides, or transparencies, either in negative or positive form, designed for exhibition by projection on a screen;

     (e) Video tape or any other medium used to electronically reproduce images on a screen.

     (8) "Person" means any individual, partnership, firm, association, corporation, or other legal entity.

     (9) "Place" includes, but is not limited to, any building, structure, or places, or any separate part or portion thereof, whether permanent or not, or the ground itself.

     (10) "Publication" shall include any book, magazine, article, pamphlet, writing, printing, illustration, picture, sound recording, or a motion picture film which is offered for sale or exhibited in a coin-operated machine.

     (11) "Sale" means a passing of title or right of possession from a seller to a buyer for valuable consideration, and shall include, but is not limited to, any lease or rental arrangement or other transaction wherein or whereby any valuable consideration is received for the use of, or transfer of possession of, lewd matter.

[1990 c 152 § 1; 1979 c 1 § 1 (Initiative Measure No. 335, approved November 8, 1977); 1913 c 127 § 1; RRS § 946-1.]

Notes: Severability -- 1990 c 152: "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." [1990 c 152 § 6.]