77.15.650 - Unlawful purchase or use of a license -- Penalty. - Washington Statutes

Unlawful purchase or use of a license — Penalty.

(1) A person is guilty of unlawful purchase or use of a license in the second degree if the person buys, holds, uses, displays, transfers, or obtains any license, tag, permit, or approval required by this title and the person:

     (a) Uses false information to buy, hold, use, display, or obtain a license, permit, tag, or approval;

     (b) Acquires, holds, or buys in excess of one license, permit, or tag for a license year if only one license, permit, or tag is allowed per license year;

     (c) Except as authorized under RCW 77.32.565, uses or displays a license, permit, tag, or approval that was issued to another person;

     (d) Except as authorized under RCW 77.32.565, permits or allows a license, permit, tag, or approval to be used or displayed by another person not named on the license, permit, tag, or approval;

     (e) Acquires or holds a license while privileges for the license are revoked or suspended.

     (2) A person is guilty of unlawful purchase or use of a license in the first degree if the person commits the act described by subsection (1) of this section and the person was acting with intent that the license, permit, tag, or approval be used for any commercial purpose. A person is presumed to be acting with such intent if the violation involved obtaining, holding, displaying, or using a license or permit for participation in any commercial fishery issued under this title or a license authorizing fish or wildlife buying, trafficking, or wholesaling.

     (3)(a) Unlawful purchase or use of a license in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor. Upon conviction, the department shall revoke any unlawfully used or held licenses and order a two-year suspension of participation in the activities for which the person unlawfully obtained, held, or used a license.

     (b) Unlawful purchase or use of a license in the first degree is a class C felony. Upon conviction, the department shall revoke any unlawfully used or held licenses and order a five-year suspension of participation in any activities for which the person unlawfully obtained, held, or used a license.

     (4) For purposes of this section, a person "uses" a license, permit, tag, or approval if the person engages in any activity authorized by the license, permit, tag, or approval held or possessed by the person. Such uses include but are not limited to fishing, hunting, taking, trapping, delivery or landing fish or wildlife, and selling, buying, or wholesaling of fish or wildlife.

     (5) Any license obtained in violation of this section is void upon issuance and is of no legal effect.

[2008 c 10 § 2; 2000 c 107 § 256; 1998 c 190 § 59.]

Notes: Short title -- 2008 c 10: See note following RCW 77.32.565.