A Class B felony in Washington State is the middle tier of the state’s three felony classes, punishable by up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. The ten-year figure is a ceiling set by statute. What most defendants actually receive is a narrower range produced by Washington’s sentencing grid, which weighs the specific offense against the person’s criminal history. A conviction also carries consequences that outlast any prison term.
The Statutory Maximum
Under RCW 9A.20.021, a Class B felony carries up to ten years of confinement in a state correctional institution and a fine of up to $20,000.1Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 9A.20.021 – Maximum Sentences for Crimes Committed July 1, 1984, and After The court can impose prison time, the fine, or a combination. Those caps apply unless a separate statute sets a different maximum for the specific offense. The fines apply to adult offenders only.
How Sentences Are Actually Calculated
Most Class B defendants never see anything close to ten years. Washington’s Sentencing Reform Act produces a standard range through the grid at RCW 9.94A.510.2Washington State Legislature. RCW 9.94A.510 – Table 1, Sentencing Grid Two numbers drive the outcome.
The Seriousness Level
Every felony is ranked I through XVI. Class B offenses span a wide portion of that scale. Residential burglary sits lower on the scale than second-degree manslaughter, for example. The level is fixed by statute for each offense and does not shift based on the defendant.
The Offender Score
The offender score reflects prior criminal history. Points are added for prior felony convictions, and the total (running from 0 to 9 or more) sets the horizontal position on the grid.3Washington State Legislature. RCW 9.94A.525 – Offender Score A first-time offender with a score of zero lands in the lightest column. Someone with an extensive record convicted of the same crime lands in a much heavier one.
Prior Class B convictions (other than sex offenses) eventually wash out of the score after ten consecutive years in the community without a new conviction. Class A convictions never wash out.
What This Looks Like in Practice
A first-time offender convicted of a lower-seriousness Class B felony may face a standard range measured in months. Someone with a heavy record convicted of a higher-seriousness Class B may face a range approaching the statutory cap. The judge sentences within the standard range unless the case qualifies for an exceptional sentence above or below it. That is why two people convicted of the same crime can receive very different prison terms.
Crimes Classified as Class B Felonies
Class B covers a broad swath of Washington’s criminal code. Frequently charged examples include:
- Residential burglary, meaning unlawful entry into a dwelling with intent to commit a crime inside. The statute treats it as more serious than second-degree burglary.4Washington State Legislature. RCW 9A.52.025 – Residential Burglary
- Theft of a motor vehicle.5Washington State Legislature. RCW 9A.56.065 – Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Second-degree assault, which covers intentional assaults causing substantial harm, use of a deadly weapon, or reckless infliction of substantial bodily harm.6Washington State Legislature. RCW 9A.36.021 – Assault in the Second Degree
- Second-degree manslaughter, meaning causing a death through criminal negligence.7Washington State Legislature. RCW 9A.32.070 – Manslaughter in the Second Degree
Some drug offenses also fall into Class B, particularly those involving manufacturing or delivering controlled substances. Weapon involvement or the extent of harm can move an offense into a higher or lower classification than the basic charge suggests.
How Long Prosecutors Have to File Charges
Under RCW 9A.04.080, most Class B felonies must be prosecuted within three years of the date of the offense.8FindLaw. Washington Code 9A.04.080 – Limitation of Actions Some serious crimes carry longer deadlines or none at all, including homicide, arson, and sex offenses involving minors. Three years is the default for Class B offenses outside those special categories.
Consequences That Continue After the Sentence
Prison time and fines are the visible part. A Class B conviction reshapes several other areas of life.
Firearms
Federal law bars anyone convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment from possessing firearms or ammunition.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 USC 922 – Unlawful Acts Because every Class B felony carries a ten-year maximum, every Class B conviction triggers this ban. It is permanent unless rights are specifically restored.
Voting
Washington restores voting rights automatically once you are no longer serving a sentence of total confinement under the Department of Corrections.10Washington State Legislature. RCW 29A.08.520 – Felony Conviction, Restoration of Voting Rights No petition or pardon is required. You do need to re-register before voting.
Employment
Washington’s Fair Chance Act bars most employers from asking about criminal history on job applications or from screening out applicants before making an initial qualification decision. Job ads cannot use language like “no felons” or “no criminal background.”11Washington State Office of the Attorney General. Fair Chance Act Exemptions exist for positions with unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults, law enforcement, and certain financial institutions. The law delays when employers can ask about your record; it does not stop them from considering it once they reach that stage.
Jury Service
A felony conviction disqualifies you from federal jury service unless your civil rights have been restored.12United States Courts. Juror Qualifications, Exemptions and Excuses State courts follow similar rules.
Clearing a Class B Felony From Your Record
Washington allows some people to petition to vacate a Class B conviction. Under RCW 9.94A.640, you cannot apply until at least ten years have passed since the later of your sentencing date, release from confinement, or release from community custody.13Washington State Legislature. RCW 9.94A.640 – Vacation of Offender’s Record of Conviction The clock does not start until every part of the sentence is complete, which is where many applicants get tripped up.
Even at ten years, you are ineligible if:
- You have criminal charges pending anywhere.
- You were convicted of a new crime during the ten years before your application.
- The offense was a violent offense or crime against persons. Narrow exceptions exist for second-degree assault, third-degree assault (not against a law enforcement officer), and second-degree robbery, but only where the conviction did not include a firearm, deadly weapon, or sexual motivation enhancement.
All terms of the sentence, including community custody, must be completed before you apply.
Class B Compared to Class A and Class C
Washington divides felonies into three classes under RCW 9A.20.010.14Washington State Legislature. RCW 9A.20.010 – Classification and Designation of Crimes Class B sits between the two extremes:
- Class A is the most serious tier, with a maximum of life in prison and a $50,000 fine. First-degree murder, first-degree rape, and first-degree kidnapping fall here.
- Class B carries up to ten years and a $20,000 fine, covering offenses from residential burglary to second-degree manslaughter.
- Class C is the least severe felony class, capped at five years and a $10,000 fine. Third-degree assault and second-degree theft are examples.
One further wrinkle applies at every level. Under Washington’s persistent offender law, a person who accumulates the required number of qualifying prior convictions may face life in prison without the possibility of release.15Washington State Legislature. RCW 9.94A.570 – Persistent Offenders For anyone with prior felonies, that “three strikes” possibility makes even a Class B charge far more serious than the standard grid would suggest.