Criminal Penalty Fees Related to Sexual Exploitation Crimes, Report to the Legislature (March 2025)
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- 2025 Commercereports 2024 Csd Criminal Penalty Fees Final 8B9C2E82 49C3 4B0
Summary
A March 2025 report to the Legislature by the Washington State Department of Commerce, Community Services Division, on criminal penalty fees related to sexual exploitation crimes, submitted under Chapter 121, Laws of 2013. It is the 11th annual report and covers state fiscal year 2024 revenue from fees under RCW 9.68A.105, 9A.88.120, and 9A.88.140. The report states that Washington courts assessed $55,381.54 in applicable fees out of a potential $136,150 and collected $64,325.74, and that only four of the 12 courts with relevant convictions assessed any fees. It finds that King County courts assessed and collected most of the fees. The report includes a statute table, a county-by-county table of arrests, convictions and fees, and appendices on fee distribution, courts with convictions and King County's approach.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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Original at app.leg.wa.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2025-commercereports-2024-csd-criminal-penalty-fees-final-8b9c2e82-49c3-4b0/
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Criminal Penalty Fees
Related to Sexual
Exploitation Crimes
Report submitted pursuant to Chapter 121, Laws of 2013
March 2025
Report to the Legislature
COMMUNITY SERVICES
DIVISION Director Joe Nguyễn
v3.5.1
Acknowledgments
Washington State Department of Commerce
Alice Zillah, Managing Director, Research and
Development Services Unit
James Vogl, Research Analyst, Research Services
Section
Trisha Smith, Managing Director, Office of Crime
Victims Advocacy
1011 Plum St. SE
P.O. Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
www.commerce.wa.gov
For people with disabilities, this report is available on
request in other formats. To submit a request, please
call 7-1-1 and ask to be connected to 360-725-4000.
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 2
Table of contents
Executive summary .........................................................................................................................................4
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................5
Fee assessments and crime rates ...................................................................................................................6
How jurisdictions reported spending the funds .............................................................................................15
Appendix A: Distribution of criminal penalty fees ..........................................................................................16
Appendix B: Courts with convictions for applicable charges ..........................................................................19
Appendix C: King County's approach .............................................................................................................21
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 3
Executive summary
Overview
In 2013, the Washington State Legislature passed Chapter 121, Laws of 2013 (ESHB 1291), which assessed
additional fees on the crime of commercial sexual abuse of a minor (CSAM) and other sexual exploitation
crimes. The fees, ordered on persons convicted of crimes, are in addition to other criminal penalties, including
statutory fines and jail time. Local jurisdictions retain most of the fee revenue to fund preventative efforts,
services for victims, and law enforcement activities to reduce the commercial sale of sex. Judges may reduce
some fees by up to two-thirds if the judge finds, on the record, that an offender cannot pay. Courts may not
entirely waive any of the fees. Chapter 121, Laws of 2013, directs the Washington State Department of
Commerce (Commerce) to:
"…prepare and submit an annual report to the legislature on the amount of revenue collected by local jurisdictions
under RCW 9.68A.105, 9A.88.120, or 9A.88.140 and the expenditure of that revenue [codified under RCW
43.280.100]."
The three statutes listed above assess fees on convictions related to prostitution and the commercial sexual
exploitation of children. We discuss the specifics of these fees in more detail in Table 1: Statutes Modified by
Chapter 121, Laws of 2013.
This report, for state fiscal year 2024, is the 11th annual report prepared on the fee revenue and expenditures
related to this set of crimes. The Introduction includes the complete statutory report requirements.
Key findings for fiscal year 2024
As in recent years, it does not appear that courts are ordering persons convicted of crimes to pay the amounts
that statutes require for their crimes. It is beyond the scope of this report to investigate why many courts are
not imposing these fees. Further research and judicial outreach could better explain why courts do not
consistently assess the fees.
• Washington courts assessed $55,381.54 in applicable fees and collected $64,325.74 in such fee
payments.
• There were 261 fewer arrests for sexual exploitation crimes than the previous year, representing a 35%
decrease, and 172 fewer convictions for such crimes compared to state fiscal year 2023, an 80%
decrease. At the offense level, there was a 98% decrease in convictions for indecent exposure, a 79%
decrease in convictions for promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor and a 44% decrease in
convictions for promoting prostitution in the second degree. There was a 22% increase in arrests for
patronizing a prostitute.
• Only 33% of the courts that handed down convictions for sexual exploitation crimes (12) assessed any
fees concerning those convictions (four).
• Washington courts assessed 41% of the total amount of penalty fees possible for convictions of sexual
exploitation crimes. Excluding King County, Washington courts assessed only 1% of the total amount of
penalty fees possible for convictions of sexual exploitation crimes.
• Courts in King County assessed and collected most of the fees – 99% and 88%, respectively.
• Some individuals arrested in the 2024 fiscal year likely have not yet begun court proceedings, which
may skew the analysis.
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 4
Introduction
Background on revenue collection
The three statutes listed under RCW 43.280.100 (RCW 9.68A.105, 9A.88.120, and 9A.88.140) assess fees on
convictions related to prostitution and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The fees are in addition
to other penalties, including statutory fines and jail time. Courts assess the fees on persons convicted of
crimes who have entered into a statutory or non-statutory diversion agreement1 because of arrests for one of
the applicable crimes. Table 1 lists the statutes, the additional penalty, and the crimes to which the penalty
applies.
Statutes 9.68A.105, 9A.88.120, and 9A.88.140 describe how jurisdictions must use the revenue from the fees
collected:
• Cities and counties must spend at least 50% and up to 98% of the revenue on prevention and
rehabilitation services for victims. Prevention includes education programs for persons convicted of
crimes, such as accountability programs,2 which provide curriculum on the sexual exploitation of
people, legal ramifications, and confronting and healing from sexual addiction. Rehabilitative services
for victims include mental health and substance abuse counseling, parenting skills, housing relief,
education, vocational training, drop-in centers, and employment counseling.
• Jurisdictions may use 0% to 48% for local efforts to reduce the commercial sale of sex, including but
not limited to increasing enforcement of commercial sex laws.
• Quarterly, jurisdictions must remit 2% of the revenue to Commerce, with a report detailing the fees
assessed, the revenue received and how it was spent.
Judges may reduce some of the fees if the court finds, on the record, that the offender cannot pay the fee. In
those cases, judges may only reduce the fee by up to two-thirds.
Courts may not reduce the fees attached to vehicle impoundment. Impounding agencies collect these fees if a
law enforcement officer impounds a vehicle used in the commission of a commercial sexual abuse of a minor
(CSAM) crime or prostitution-related crime or if other conditions are met. The owner must pay the fee before
redeeming the vehicle. Subsequently, if the defendant is found not guilty of the crime, the defendant is entitled
to a refund of the fee.
It is important to note that an arrest in one year can lead to a case requiring more than a year to prosecute and
resolve. This can result in the total fees a court could collect exceeding the maximum possible fees.
1 RCW 9A.88.120 defines statutory or non-statutory agreement as an agreement under RCW 13.40.080 or any written agreement
between a person accused of an offense and a court, county, or city prosecutor, whereby the person agrees to fulfill certain conditions
in lieu of prosecution.
2 Programs like this are sometimes called "john schools,” but this term is not survivor informed. Some accountability programs may still
have titles including "johns" or "men," but it is important to note that not all buyers are men, just as not all victims of sexual exploitation
are women.
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 5
Table 1: Statutes modified by Chapter 121, Laws of 2013
Amount by which penalty can
Statute Additional penalty amount Crimes to which penalty applies
be reduced
9.68A.100 — Commercial Sexual Abuse of a
Minor (CSAM)
9.68A.105 $5,000
9.68A.101 — Promoting CSAM
9.68A.102 — Promoting travel for CSAM
$50 9A.88.010 — Indecent exposure
The court may not reduce,
$50 9A.88.030 — Prostitution waive, or suspend the
payment of all or part of the
1st offense $1,500 fee assessed unless it finds,
on the record, that the adult
2nd offense $2,500 9A.88.090 — Permitting prostitution
offender cannot pay, in which
9A.88.110 — Patronizing a prostitute
9A.88.120 3rd and subsequent case it may reduce the fee by
$5,000 an amount up to two-thirds of
offense
the maximum allowable fee.
1st offense $3,000
9A.88.070 — Promoting prostitution in the first
2nd offense $6,000 degree
9A.88.080 — Promoting prostitution in the
3rd and subsequent second degree
$10,000
offense
9A.88.140 – Vehicle impoundment fine for:
9A.88.110 – Patronizing a prostitute
9A.88.070 – Promoting prostitution in the first
$500 degree
9A.88.080 – Promoting prostitution in the
second degree May not be waived or
9A.88.140
9A.88.085 – Promoting travel for prostitution reduced.
9A.88.140 – Vehicle impoundment fine for:
9.68A.100 – CSAM
$2,500
9.68A.101 – Promoting CSAM
9.68A.102 – Promoting travel for CSAM
Fee assessments and crime rates
In state fiscal year 2024, 12 courts in Washington handed down convictions for crimes that bear the relevant
additional penalty fees. Of these, four courts — just 33% — assessed these additional penalty fees concerning
convictions for applicable crimes. This discrepancy indicates that many courts in Washington are not
assessing the fees or only assessing a fraction of what they could. In addition, only 12 courts received revenue
in this fiscal year, some of which was for crimes committed in previous years.
• The King County Superior Court assessed and collected the highest fees of all Washington courts in
state fiscal year 2024, assessing $37,649.33 and collecting $37,815.16. The SeaTac Municipal Court
assessed and collected the next highest fees, totaling $8,500 and $8,566, respectively.
• The Pierce County Superior Court had six convictions for relevant crimes (three for commercial sex
abuse of a minor, two for promoting prostitution and one for patronizing a prostitute). Given all relevant
convictions for the Pierce County Superior Court, the maximum possible fees would total $22,500,
assuming the convicted were first-time offenders. However, the court did not assess any relevant fees
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 6
in the state fiscal year 2024.
• The Cowlitz County Superior Court had four convictions for relevant crimes, all of which were for
commercial sex abuse of a minor. Given all relevant convictions for the Cowlitz County Superior Court,
the maximum possible fees would total $20,000, assuming the convicted were first-time offenders.
However, the court did not assess any relevant fees in the state fiscal year 2024.
• The Spokane County Superior Court had six convictions for relevant crimes, all of which were for
promoting prostitution. Given all relevant convictions for the Spokane County Superior Court, the
maximum possible fees would total $18,000, assuming the convicted were first-time offenders.
However, the court did not assess any relevant fees in the state fiscal year 2024.
Statewide, courts assessed 41% of the total possible fee amount — $55,381.54 out of a potential $136,150. As
in previous years, courts in King County both assessed and collected most of the fees. Excluding King County,
other Washington courts assessed just 1% of the total possible fee amount — $739.21 out of a potential
$81,500. It is beyond the scope of this report to investigate why many courts are not imposing these fees.
Table 2 lists the number of arrests and convictions for the relevant crimes, the maximum possible fees that
courts could assess based on conviction data, the actual fees assessed and the fees collected for each county
in Washington. Appendix B contains a complete list of all courts that imposed convictions for the applicable
crimes or assessed or collected relevant fees. It is important to note that an arrest made in one year can lead
to a case that takes more than a year to prosecute and resolve, explaining why the fees a court assessed may
exceed the maximum possible fees. It also explains why some of the fees collected by a court may be greater
than fees that the court assessed.
Table 2: Arrests, convictions and fees by county for applicable charges — state fiscal
year 2024
County Arrests Convictions Max possible Fees assessed Fees collected
fees*
Adams 12 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Asotin 5 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Benton 12 1 $5,000.00 $0.00 $21.31
Chelan 11 0 $0.00 $278.04 $405.47
Clallam 2 0 $0.00 $50.00 $0.00
Clark 69 0 $0.00 $84.51 $17.50
Columbia 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Cowlitz 16 4 $20,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 7
County Arrests Convictions Max possible Fees assessed Fees collected
fees*
Douglas 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Ferry 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Franklin 5 1 $3,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
Garfield 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Grant 0 0 $0.00 $16.66 $0.00
Grays Harbor 6 0 $0.00 $0.00 $188.50
Island 2 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Jefferson 1 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
King 152 21 $54,650.00 $54,642.33 $56,651.24
Kitsap 14 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Kittitas 1 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Klickitat 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Lewis 7 2 $10,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
Lincoln 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Mason 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Okanogan 12 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Pacific 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Pend Oreille 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Pierce 34 6 $22,500.00 $0.00 $7,041.72
San Juan 0 0 $0.00 $50.00 $0.00
Skagit 14 0 $0.00 $150.00 $0.00
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 8
County Arrests Convictions Max possible Fees assessed Fees collected
fees*
Skamania 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Snohomish 5 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Spokane 51 7 $21,000.00 $0.00 $0.00
Stevens 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Thurston 25 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Wahkiakum 0 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Walla Walla 1 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Whatcom 14 0 $0.00 $110.00 $0.00
Whitman 1 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
Yakima 16 0 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
TOTAL 488 42 $136,150.00 $55,381.54 $64,325.74
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 9
Figure 1: Amounts assessed compared to potential fees — 2014 through 2024
$900,000
$800,000
$700,000
$600,000
$500,000
$400,000
$300,000
$200,000
$100,000
$0
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Total Possible Fees Amount of Fees Levied
Sources: The Administrative Office of the Courts, Washington State Patrol, King County Superior Court, King County District Court and Seattle Municipal
Court.
Figure 2 illustrates the percentage of total potential fees Washington courts assessed in state fiscal years
2014 through 2024.
Figure 2: Percentage of potential fees assessed statewide — 2014 through 2024
80%
71%
70%
60% 57%
54% 52% 56%
57%
50%
42%
40% 41%
37%
30% 32%
31%
20%
10%
0%
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
% of Possible Fees
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 10
Sources: the Administrative Office of the Courts, Washington State Patrol, King County Superior Court, King County District Court and Seattle Municipal
Court.
Background on fees and payments
Many individuals convicted of crimes do not pay fees all at once but instead enter into a payment plan with the
court. As they pay off the fees, court clerks code them into the Judicial Information System (JIS) and Odyssey
system, which are used by most courts in Washington. Therefore, revenue from fees can be greater during a
given year than assessed fees as offenders gradually pay off their penalties.
The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) establishes new codes in JIS and Odyssey. It informs courts
about which codes to use. AOC codes data in these systems to the fund account rather than the statute
applicable to the crime. As a result, separating the funds collected by the offense committed is impossible.
Once court clerks receive the revenue and allocate it to a code, the city or county treasurer is responsible for
establishing an account for the monies. Some cities contract with their county to act as treasurer for the
jurisdiction. Then, the jurisdiction must decide which department, office, or official is responsible for
determining how to spend the funds, allocating the amounts according to the legislative guidelines, and
ensuring that the quarterly reports are sent to Commerce.
The Washington State Patrol maintains data by county on the number of arrests and convictions for all crimes
in Washington. Some cities, notably Seattle, have municipal codes for misdemeanor offenses that effectively
replace the applicable state statute in the city's data system. Therefore, the researchers for this report
obtained data on arrests, cases, and convictions for crimes committed within Seattle from the Seattle
Municipal Court.
Because the applicable crimes include both misdemeanors and felonies, the impacted courts include
municipal and district courts (courts of limited jurisdiction, or CLJs) and superior courts, which hear cases
involving serious felonies.
Certain courts, including the Seattle Municipal Court, King County District, and Superior courts, do not use JIS
or Odyssey. Additionally, some municipal courts contract with their county district courts to collect fees on
their behalf. For example, the King County District Court contracts with Auburn, Beaux Arts, Bellevue, Burien,
Carnation, Covington, Duvall, Kenmore, Redmond, Sammamish, Shoreline, Skykomish and Woodinville. The
information on fees collected and assessed by those cities is merged with the King County District Court data.
Crime rates
In the state fiscal year 2024, law enforcement officers made 35% fewer arrests for sexual exploitation crimes
than in state fiscal year 2023. The number of convictions between state fiscal year 2023 (214) and state fiscal
year 2024 (42) also decreased by 80%. There were 163 fewer convictions for indecent exposure in state fiscal
year 2024 than in state fiscal year 2023, a 98% decrease that represented the single greatest percentage
decrease in convictions for any of the crimes specified under RCW 9.68A.105, RCW 9A.88.120, and RCW
9A.88.140.
Table 3 lists the number of arrests, cases and convictions for these crimes. The table also includes the crime
of trafficking, which carries an additional $10,000 penalty fee. However, the fee for trafficking is not subject to
the same dispersal requirements as the crimes specified under RCW 9.68A.105, RCW 9A.88.120, and RCW
9A.88.140.
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 11
Table 3: Statewide arrests and convictions by crime — state fiscal year 2024
Statute Charge Arrests Convictions
9.68A.100 Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor (CSAM) 53 11
9.68A.101 Promoting CSAM 10 3
9.68A.102 Promoting Travel for CSAM 1 0
9.68A.103 Permitting CSAM 0 0
9A.40.100 Trafficking 1 0
9A.88.010 Indecent Exposure 354 3
9A.88.030 Prostitution 7 0
9A.88.070 Promoting Prostitution in the First Degree 4 4
9A.88.080 Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree 14 15
9A.88.085 Promoting Travel for Prostitution (Vehicle Impoundment) 0 0
9A.88.090 Permitting Prostitution 0 0
9A.88.110 Patronizing a Prostitute 44 6
Total 488 42
Source: The Washington State Patrol provided data on statewide arrests and convictions
As a reminder, it is important to keep in mind that an arrest in one year can lead to a case that takes more than
a year to prosecute and resolve. This explains why some charges have fewer arrests than convictions in the
state fiscal year 2024. Since Commerce first started tracking this data in 2014, there has been a steady
decrease in the numbers of both arrests and convictions for these crimes on average. State fiscal year 2023 is
the exception to this trend, as it saw an increase in both arrests and convictions for relevant offenses
compared to state fiscal year 2022.
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 12
Figure 3: Statewide arrests and convictions totals — 2014 through 2024
1,600
1439
1,400 1282 1243 1294
1187
1,200 1131
1011
1,000
800 749
660 622
600 490 488
418 418 363
349 358
400
239 198 218
166
200 42
0
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Number of arrests Number of convictions
Source: The Washington State Patrol provided data on statewide arrests and convictions
Legal financial obligations
The criminal penalty fees that are the focus of this report are a subset of all the costs, fees, fines or
restitutions that Washington courts may impose on people convicted of a criminal offense. These court-
mandated payments are collectively called legal financial obligations (LFOs), which have been the subject of
several studies in Washington in recent years.
In January 2022, the Washington Supreme Court's Minority and Justice Commission released the report The
Price of Justice,3 which assessed local and statewide policies and practices concerning LFO assessment and
collection, among other topics. While it is outside the scope of this report to make a detailed investigation of
why Washington courts are not assessing the maximum possible amount of criminal penalty fees related to
certain crimes of sexual exploitation, several findings from this report may provide a starting point for
answering this question.
One such finding is among judges surveyed as part of the report, "a majority indicated that between 80%-100%
of the defendants that appear before them are indigent." Another is that among judges surveyed, 44%
indicated that they do not believe that LFOs are essential to the criminal justice process. Defense attorneys
surveyed also reported that "courts' LFO practices varied widely from judge to judge and from jurisdiction to
jurisdiction," including differences in which LFOs judges understood to be mandatory.
Finally, "The Price of Justice" also noted declines for courts of limited jurisdiction (CLJs) in the number of
cases where courts imposed LFOs, the average amount of LFOs imposed and the total amount of LFOs
imposed. Between 2014 and 2018, CLJ cases in which LFOs were imposed dropped by 23%, the average
3 Washington State Supreme Court Minority and Justice Commission, "The Price of Justice," (2022),
MJC_LFO_Price_of_Justice_Report_Final.pdf (wa.gov)
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 13
amount of LFOs assessed per case in CLJs dropped by 12%, and the total amount of LFOs imposed per year in
CLJs statewide dropped by 3%.
According to the Minority and Justice Commission, another possible factor contributing to the wide variation in
the percentage of possible fees that Washington courts assess is the changing statutory landscape governing
the assessment of LFOs. These changes include requiring courts to account for a person's willingness to pay
before assessing discretionary LFOs, and Chapter 449, Laws of 2023, which eliminated the crime victim
penalty assessment for juveniles or, upon motion, for adults found to be indigent. However, it is important to
note that the fees detailed in this report are mandatory and distinct from the crime victim penalty assessment.
Finally, the non-unified structure of Washington courts means that judicial education concerning LFOs
happens at the court level. While the Administrative Office of the Courts provides resources like an LFO
calculator and an LFO bench card that judicial officers can reference to guide LFO assessment, the state does
not provide any statewide LFO educational programs.
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 14
How jurisdictions reported spending the funds
In the state fiscal year 2024, 12 courts in Washington handed down convictions for crimes that bear the
additional penalty fees, and 12 courts collected revenue towards the payment of these additional penalty fees.
Of the 12 courts that collected revenue, seven both assessed new fees and collected revenue towards
payment of previously assessed fees. The five remaining courts collected revenue but did not assess new
fees, which indicates the revenue was from persons convicted of crimes paying off fees assessed in past
years.
Three courts reported collecting $100 or less during the state fiscal year 2024 and therefore were not
surveyed. Researchers surveyed the nine courts that collected greater amounts to determine how cities and
counties used the funds. In most cases, it was necessary to speak with another department (for instance, the
city or county treasurer, the police department, or the prosecutor's office) to learn whether the funds had been
allocated and, if so, how they had been spent.
As in previous years, jurisdictions were provided with a chart (Appendix A) showing the relevant statutes and
the statutory dispersal formula for the funds.
Reports by jurisdiction
Aberdeen Municipal Court
The City of Aberdeen has issued a check for the funds it collected in the state fiscal year 2024 ($188.50) to
Beyond Survival, a local community sexual assault program.
Bellevue Municipal Court
The Bellevue Police Department reports spending $46.07 on food for survivors of sexual exploitation crimes in
the state fiscal year 2024.
Chelan County District Court
Chelan County has not yet spent the funds it collected in the state fiscal year 2024.
Des Moines Municipal Court
The City of Des Moines has not yet spent the funds it collected in the state fiscal year 2024.
Pierce County District Court
Pierce County has not yet spent the funds it collected in the state fiscal year 2024.
SeaTac Municipal Court
The City of SeaTac has not yet spent the funds it collected in the state fiscal year 2024.
Seattle Municipal Court
The City of Seattle has not yet spent the funds it collected in the state fiscal year 2024.
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 15
Appendix A: Distribution of criminal penalty fees
Figure 4: Dispersal of penalty fines and revenues from seized property under RCW
Trafficking, Prostitution, and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Crimes: Dispersal of Penalty Fines and Revenue from Seized Property under
Washington State Statutes
At least 50% Up to 48% 2%
Additional Penalty Local Prevention Efforts Local Law Prostitution Prevention
and Victims’ Services Enforcement and Intervention Account
Crime
(See Statute below) 90% 10%
Proceeds from Investigation and Seizure Expenses; Enforcement Prostitution Prevention
Seized Property of Prostitution and Sexual Exploitation Laws and Intervention Account
Statute Providing
Statute Additional Penalty Amount How Fines Must Be Used
Additional Penalty
$10,000 (not deposited into
9A.40.100 – Trafficking 9A.40.100 Local Prevention Efforts and Victims’ Services:
PPIA)
At least 50 percent of the revenue must be spent on
9.68A.100 – Commercial sexual abuse of a minor prevention, including education programs for offenders,
(CSAM) such as john school, and rehabilitative services for victims,
such as mental health and substance abuse counseling,
$5,000 9.68A.105 parenting skills, training, housing relief, education,
9.68A.101 – Promoting CSAM vocational training, drop-in centers, and employment
counseling.
9.68A.102 – Promoting travel for CSAM
9.68A.106 – Internet advertisement related to CSAM $5,000 (all deposited to PPIA) 9.68A.106
9A.88.010 – Indecent exposure $50 9A.88.120
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 16
Statute Providing
Statute Additional Penalty Amount How Fines Must Be Used
Additional Penalty
9A.88.030 – Prostitution $50 Local Law Enforcement:
Up to 48 percent must be used for local efforts to reduce
9A.88.090 – Permitting prostitution $1,500 for 1st offense the commercial sale of sex including, but not limited to,
increasing enforcement of commercial sex laws.
$2,500 for 2nd offense
9A.88.110 – Patronizing a prostitute $5,000 for 3rd or greater
offense
Prostitution Prevention and Intervention Account (PPIA):
9A.88.070 – Promoting prostitution in the 1st $3,000 for 1st offense
degree
Two percent of the revenue shall be remitted quarterly to
$6,000 for 2nd offense
the Dept. of Commerce, together with a report detailing the
9A.88.080 – Promoting prostitution in the 2nd fines assessed, the revenue received, and how that revenue
$10,000 for 3rd or greater
degree was spent.
offense
(Does not apply to RCW 9A.40.100, Trafficking.)
9A.88.140 – Vehicle impoundment fine:
9A.88.110 – Patronizing a prostitute
Criminal Penalty Fines Report:
9A.88.070 – Promoting Prostitution in the 1st
degree $500 The PPIA account funds an annual report to the legislature
on the amount of revenue collected under RCW 9.68A.105,
9A.88.080 – Promoting Prostitution in the 2nd 9A.88.120, and 9A.88.140.
degree
9A.88.140
9A.88.085 – Promoting travel for prostitution
9A.88.140 – Vehicle impoundment fine:
9.68A.100 – CSAM
$2,500
9.68A.101 – Promoting CSAM
9.68A.102 – Promoting travel for CSAM
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 17
Statute Providing
Statute Additional Penalty Amount How Fines Must Be Used
Additional Penalty
Statute How Proceeds Must Be Used (effective June 12, 2014)
Proceeds from seized property:
Dispersal of Proceeds from Seized Property:
9.68A.120 – Child pornography
90% shall be used by the seizing law enforcement agency for the expenses of the investigation and seizure.
9.68A.100 – CSAM Remaining funds shall be used to enforce the provisions of 9A.88 RCW or 9.68A RCW.
9.68A.101 – Promoting CSAM
9A.88.070 – Promoting prostitution in the 1st Prostitution Prevention and Intervention Account:
degree
By January 31st of each year, each seizing agency shall remit to the state treasurer 10% of the net proceeds of any
property forfeited during the preceding calendar year. Money remitted shall be deposited in the Prostitution
Prevention and Intervention Account, managed by the Dept. of Commerce.
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES 18
Appendix B: Courts with convictions for applicable
charges
Table 4: Convictions, fees assessed and fees collected by court - fiscal year 2024
Court County Convictions Fees assessed Fees collected
Aberdeen Municipal
Court Grays Harbor 0 $0.00 $188.50
Auburn Municipal
Court King 0 $16.50 $0.00
Battle Ground
Municipal Court Clark 0 $17.50 $17.50
Bellevue Municipal
Court King 0 $2,550.00 $2,075.08
Benton County
District Court Benton 0 $0.00 $21.31
Benton County
Superior Court Benton 1 $0.00 $0.00
Chelan County
District Court Chelan 0 $175.54 $405.47
Clallam County
District Court No 1 Clallam 0 $50.00 $0.00
Clark County
District Court Clark 0 $67.01 $0.00
Covington
Municipal Court King 0 $16.50 $0.00
Cowlitz County
Superior Court Cowlitz 4 $0.00 $0.00
Des Moines
Municipal Court King 1 $500.00 $550.00
East Wenatchee
Municipal Court Chelan 0 $102.50 $0.00
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES
19
Court County Convictions Fees assessed Fees collected
Franklin County
Superior Court Franklin 1 $0.00 $0.00
Grant County
District Court Grant 0 $16.66 $0.00
Kent Municipal
Court King 0 $165.00 $0.00
King County District
Court King 4 $5,245.00 $5,845.00
King County
Superior Court King 13 $37,649.33 $37,815.16
Lewis County
Superior Court Lewis 2 $0.00 $0.00
Pierce County
Superior Court Pierce 6 $0.00 $7,024.72
Puyallup Municipal
Court Pierce 0 $0.00 $17.00
San Juan County
District Court San Juan 0 $50.00 $0.00
Sedro Woolley
Municipal Court Skagit 0 $150.00 $0.00
SeaTac Municipal
Court King 1 $8,500.00 $8,566.00
Seattle Municipal
Court King 2 $0.00 $1,800.00
Spokane County
District Court Spokane 1 $0.00 $0.00
Spokane County
Superior Court Spokane 6 $0.00 $0.00
Whatcom County
District Court Whatcom 0 $110.00 $0.00
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES
20
Court County Convictions Fees assessed Fees collected
Total 28 courts 42 $55,381.54 $64,325.74
Appendix C: King County's approach
King County continues to lead statewide efforts to reduce demand for prostitution and combat sex trafficking.
Several law enforcement agencies, including Seattle, Kent, Bellevue, Des Moines, and Renton police
departments, actively pursue individuals who provide anything of value in exchange for sexual conduct.
Recognizing the shortcomings of past practices that punished prostituted people, King County has shifted its
focus to prosecuting buyers and traffickers, connecting victims to services, and reducing demand for
commercial sex.4
This approach is rooted in the understanding that trafficking disproportionately affects vulnerable populations,
including youth in the Child Welfare System, individuals experiencing poverty, people of color, and LGBTQ2+
individuals. Traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities for profit, with many victims coerced into the sex trade
between the ages of 13 and 15. In 2018, over 470 youth aged 11–24 accessed services for commercial sexual
exploitation in King County, with 73% between the ages of 12 and 17.5 These individuals experience severe
harm, including repeated abuse and violence.
To address these challenges, King County has implemented innovative programs targeting buyers and
traffickers. A notable example is the “Stopping Sexual Exploitation” program, an education initiative for
convicted buyers. Grounded in social justice principles, it helps participants understand and change their
behavior while generating funds to support victim services like housing, treatment, and job training.6
King County also collaborates with community organizations to prevent exploitation and shift societal norms.
For example:7
Prevention education is provided to youth in schools and adults in workplaces.
Employers are engaged to prevent solicitation activity, addressing findings that 13% of calls to solicit sex
originate from businesses, with a peak solicitation time of 2 p.m.
The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Task Force, active since 2013, continues to ensure the safety
of exploited children and offers resources like data, training, and toolkits for prevention.8
While the Ending Exploitation Collaborative (EEC) no longer exists, its cross-sector work laid the foundation for
these ongoing efforts. Law enforcement and prosecutors in King County are now recognized nationwide for
4 King County Commercially Sexually Exploited Children Task Force. https://www.kingcountycsec.org
5 King County CSEC Task Force Data. https://www.kingcountycsec.org/data
6 U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking. “Stopping Sexual Exploitation: A Program for Men.” https://usiaht.org
7 King County CSEC Task Force Initiatives. https://kingcounty.gov/en/court/superior-court/courts-jails-legal-system/court-programs-
children-families/juvenile-court-services/programs-services-juvenile-court/commercially-sexually-exploited-children
8 King County Commercial Sexual Exploitation Task Force Resources. https://www.kingcountycsec.org/resources
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES
21
their innovative approaches to arresting and prosecuting traffickers and sex buyers, creating a safer
community, and reducing the prevalence of sex trafficking.
Figure 5: Arrests for patronization and prostitution convictions — state fiscal year
2024
40
34
35
30 28
25
20
15
10
5
5 2
0
King County Arrests Remainder of WA
Prostitution Patronizing, Permitting or Promoting Prostitution
Figure 6: Patronization and prostitution convictions — state fiscal year 2024
16
14
14
12 11
10
8
6
4
2
0 0
0
King County Convictions Remainder of WA
Prostitution Patronizing, Permitting or Promoting Prostitution
CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES
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CRIMINAL PENALTY FEES RELATED TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CRIMES
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