9.94A.834 - Special allegation -- Endangerment by eluding a police vehicle -- Procedures. - Washington Statutes

Special allegation — Endangerment by eluding a police vehicle — Procedures.

(1) The prosecuting attorney may file a special allegation of endangerment by eluding in every criminal case involving a charge of attempting to elude a police vehicle under RCW 46.61.024, when sufficient admissible evidence exists, to show that one or more persons other than the defendant or the pursuing law enforcement officer were threatened with physical injury or harm by the actions of the person committing the crime of attempting to elude a police vehicle.

     (2) In a criminal case in which there has been a special allegation, the state shall prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused committed the crime while endangering one or more persons other than the defendant or the pursuing law enforcement officer. The court shall make a finding of fact of whether or not one or more persons other than the defendant or the pursuing law enforcement officer were endangered at the time of the commission of the crime, or if a jury trial is had, the jury shall, if it finds the defendant guilty, also find a special verdict as to whether or not one or more persons other than the defendant or the pursuing law enforcement officer were endangered during the commission of the crime.

[2008 c 219 § 2.]

Notes: Short title -- 2008 c 219: "This act may be known and cited as the Guillermo "Bobby" Aguilar and Edgar F. Trevino-Mendoza public safety act of 2008." [2008 c 219 § 1.]