<body>
<p>This page uses frames, but your browser doesn't support them.</p>
</body>

WA State The Constitution That

Original
1878 State of Washington Constitution

1889 State of Washington
Constitution

2010 State of Washington
Constitution

SOURCES:

SOURCES:

SOURCES:

http://www.crtf.org/waconst.html

http://www.sos.wa.gov/history/constitution.aspx

http://www.leg.wa.gov/LawsAndAgencyRules/Pages/constitution.aspx

http://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/history/1878Constitution.pdf

http://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/history/1889-Constitution-bw.pdf

http://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/history/1889-Constitution-color.pdf

http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/state/washington/StaticContent/Top10/Constitution.djvu

Article II Eminent Domain

See Section 16

See Section 16

Section
3.

The
people of the state, in their right of sovereignty, are declared to possess
the ultimate property in and to all lands within the jurisdiction of the
state, and all lands, the title to which shall fail from a defect of heirs, shall revert or escheat to the state.

Article V Declaration of
Rights

Article I Declaration of Rights

Article I Declaration of Rights

Section
1.

Section 1.

Section 1.

All
political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments were
founded on their authority.

All Political powers is inherent
in the people, and government derive their just power from the governed, and
are established to protect and maintain individual rights

All political power is inherent in the people,
and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed,
and are established to protect and maintain individual rights.

Section
2.

Section 2.

Section 2.

The
people in this state have the sole right to alter or abolish their
constitution and form of government whenever they deem it necessary to the
safety and happiness provided such changes be not repugnant to the
Constitution of the United States.

The Constitution of the United States is the
supreme law of the land.

The Constitution of the United States is the
supreme law of the land.

Section
3.

Section 3.

Section 3.

All
persons are by nature free, and equally entitled to certain natural rights;
among which are, those of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties,
of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and seeking and obtaining
happiness. To secure these rights, governments are instituted, deriving their
just powers from the consent of the governed.

No person shall be deprived of
life, liberty or  property, without due process of
law.

No person shall be deprived of
life, liberty or  property,
without due process of law.

Section
4.

Section 4.

All
persons have a natural and indefensible right to worship God according to the
dictates of their consciences. No person shall be compelled to attend, erect,
or support any place of worship against his consent and no preference shall
be given by law to any religious society, nor shall any interference with the
rights of conscience be permitted. No religious test shall be required as a
qualification for office; nor shall any person be incompetent to be a witness
on account of his opinions on matters of religion; but nothing herein shall
be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations; but by the liberty of
conscience hereby secured shall not be construed so as to excuse acts of
licentiousness or practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the
state.

The right to petition and of the
people peaceably to assemble for the common good shall never be abridged.

The right to petition and of the
people peaceably to assemble for the common good shall never be abridged.

Section
5.

Section 5.

Section 5.

No
person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law, or be denied the equal protection
of the law.

Every person may freely speak,
write and publish on all subjects, being responsible fro the abuse of that
right.

Every person may freely speak,
write and publish on all subjects, being responsible fro the abuse of that
right.

Section
6.

Section 6.

Section 6.

No
person on account of law, shall be disqualified to enter upon and pursue any
of the lawful business associations or professions of life.

The mode of administrating an
oath, or affirmation, shall be such as may be most consistent with and
binding upon the conscience of the person to whom such oath, or affirmation,
may be administered

The mode of administrating an
oath, or affirmation, shall be such as may be most consistent with and
binding upon the conscience of the person to whom such oath, or affirmation,
may be administered

Section
7.

Section 7.

Section 7.

Every
person may freely speak write and publish his opinions on all subjects being
responsible for the abuse of that liberty; and no laws shall be passed to
restrain or abridge the liberty of speech or of the press. In all
prosecutions for libel, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury, and
if it appears that the matter charged a libelous be true, and was published
with good motives and justifiable ends, the party accused shall be acquitted;
and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the fact.

No person shall be disturbed in
his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law

No person shall be disturbed in
his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law

Section
8.

Section 8.

Section 8.

No
person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of
law, and no person for the same offense shall be put twice in jeopardy of
punishment, nor again be put upon trial for the same offense after having
been acquitted by a jury, nor shall be compelled, in any criminal cause, to
be a witness against himself. All persons shall, before conviction in any
conviction, be bailable by sufficient surety, except for murder in the first
degree, and treason, where the proof is evident or the presumption great, and
the privilege of habeas corpus shall not be suspended unless, when, in case
of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require. The right to trial
by jury of twelve persons shall remain inviolate in all criminal cases. A jury
in a civil cause, in all courts, may consist in less than twelve, as may be
prescribed by law, and the concurrence of three fourths of the whole number
of the jury shall be sufficient for a verdict, provided that the right may be
waived by the parties, in such manner as may be provided by law. Hereafter a
grand jury shall consist of seven persons, any five of whom concurring, may
find an indictment, provided, the legislature may change, regulate, abolish,
or re-establish the grand jury system.

No law granting irrevocably any
privilege, franchise, or immunity, shall be passed by the Legislature.

No law granting irrevocably any
privilege, franchise, or immunity, shall be passed by the Legislature.

Section
9.

Section 9.

Section 9.

Every
person in the state shall be entitled to a certain remedy in the law, for all
wrongs and injuries which he may receive in his person, character or
property; justice shall be administered to all, freely, and without purchase,
completely, and without denial, promptly and without delay; and all courts
shall be open to the public

No person shall be compelled in
any criminal case to give evidence against himself, or be twice put in
jeopardy for the same offense.

No person shall be compelled in
any criminal case to give evidence against himself, or be twice put in
jeopardy for the same offense.

Section
10.

Section 10.

Section 10.

The
right of the people to be secure in their persons, papers, houses and effects
against unreasonable seizures and searches shall not be violated; and no
warrant shall issue except upon probable cause, supported
by oath or affirmation in writing, describing, as nearly as may be, the place
to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized.

Justice in all cases shall be
administered openly and without unnecessary delay.

Justice in all cases shall be
administered openly and without unnecessary delay.

Section
11.

Section 11.

Section 11.

There
shall never be in this state, involuntary servitude, save
as punishment for crime, where the party shall have been duly convicted.

Absolute freedom of conscience
in all matters of religious sentiment, belief, and worship, shall be
guaranteed to every individual, and no one shall be molested or disturbed in
person, or property, on
account of religion; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not
be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices
inconsistent with the peace and safety of the State.  No public money or property shall be appropriated for,
or applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support
of any religious establishement.
No religious qualification shall be required for any public office, or
employment, nor shall any person be incompetent as a witness, or juror, in
subsequence of his opinion on matters of religion, nor be questoned in any
court of justice touching his religious
belief to affect the weight of his testimony.

Absolute freedom of conscience
in all matters of religious sentiment, belief, and worship, shall be
guaranteed to every individual, and no one shall be molested or disturbed in
person, or property, on
account of religion; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not
be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices
inconsistent with the peace and safety of the State.  No public money or property shall be appropriated for,
or applied to any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support
of any religious establishement.
No religious qualification shall be required for any public office, or
employment, nor shall any person be incompetent as a witness, or juror, in
subsequence of his opinion on matters of religion, nor be questoned in any
court of justice touching his religious
belief to affect the weight of his testimony.

Section
12.

Section 12.

Section 12.

No
person shall be imprisoned for debt except in the case of fraud in
contracting the same or an absconding debtor, having means legally applicable
to the due payment of his debts or some part thereof.

No law shall be passed granting
to any citizen, class of citizens, or corporation other
than municipal, privileges or immunities which
upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens, or
corporations.

No law shall be passed granting
to any citizen, class of citizens, or corporation other
than municipal, privileges or immunities which
upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens, or
corporations.

Section
13.

Section 13.

Section 13.

In
criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right to appear and defend
in person and by counsel; to demand the nature and cause of the accusation;
to have a copy thereof; to testify in his own behalf, to meet the witnesses
against him face to face to have process to compel the attendance of
witnesses in his behalf; and a speedy just trial by an impartial jury of the
county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed.

The privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless in case of rebellion or invasion
or the public safety requires it.

The privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless in case of rebellion or invasion
or the public safety requires it.

Section
14.

Section 14.

Section 14.

No bill
of attainder, ex post facto law, or any law impairing the obligation of
contracts, or making any irrevocable grant of special privileges, franchises
or immunities, shall be passed by the legislature.

Excessive bail shall not be required, excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel punishment inflicted.

Excessive bail shall not be required, excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel punishment inflicted.

Section
15.

Section 15.

Section 15.

Private
property shall not be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation; and no persons
particular service shall be required without just payment therefor.

No conviction shall work corruption of blood,
nor forfeiture of estate.

No conviction shall work corruption of blood,
nor forfeiture of estate.

Section
16.

Section 16.

Section 16.

The
right of the people to peacefully assemble and consult for the common good
and to petition for the redress of grievance, shall never be restrained or
abridged.

Private property shall not be
taken for private use, except for
private ways of necessity, and for drains, flumes, or ditches on or across
the lands of others for agricultural, domestic, or sanitary purposes. No
private property shall be taken or damaged for public or private use without
just compensation having been first made, or paid into court for the owner,
and no right-of-way shall be appropriated to the use of any corporation other
than municipal until full compensation therefor be first made in money, or
ascertained and paid into court for the owner, irrespective of any benefit
from any improvement proposed by such corporation, which compensation shall
be ascertained by a jury, unless a jury be waived, as in other civil cases in
courts of record, in the manner prescribed by law. Whenever an attempt is made
to take private property for a use alleged to be public, the question whether
the contemplated use be really public shall be a judicial question, and
determined as such, without regard to any legislative assertion that the use
is public.

Private property shall not be
taken for private use, except for
private ways of necessity, and for drains, flumes, or ditches on or across
the lands of others for agricultural, domestic, or sanitary purposes. No
private property shall be taken or damaged for public or private use without
just compensation having been first made, or paid into court for the owner,
and no right-of-way shall be appropriated to the use of any corporation other
than municipal until full compensation therefor be first made in money, or
ascertained and paid into court for the owner, irrespective of any benefit
from any improvement proposed by such corporation, which compensation shall
be ascertained by a jury, unless a jury be waived, as in other civil cases in
courts of record, in the manner prescribed by law. Whenever an attempt is made
to take private property for a use alleged to be public, the question whether
the contemplated use be really public shall be a judicial question, and
determined as such, without regard to any legislative assertion that the use
is public: Provided, That the taking of private property by the state for
land reclamation and settlement purposes is hereby declared to be for public
use. [AMENDMENT 9, 1919 p 385 Section 1. Approved November, 1920.]

Section
17.

Section 17.

Section 17.

The
military shall always be in strict subordination to the civil powers.

There shall be no imprisonment for debt, except
in cases of absconding debtors.

There shall be no imprisonment for debt, except
in cases of absconding debtors.

Section 18.

Section 18.

Section 18.

All laws
in the possession, enjoyment and decent of the property, shall be alike
applicable to resident aliens
and citizens.

The military shall be in strict subordination to
the civil power.

The military shall be in strict subordination to
the civil power.

Section 19.

Section 19.

Section 19.

The
right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, but this
shall not be construed as to justify the carrying of concealed weapons.

All Elections shall be free and equal, and no
power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free
exercise of the right of suffrage.

All Elections shall be free and equal, and no
power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free
exercise of the right of suffrage.

Section 20

Section 20

Section 20

All
elections shall be free and open, and no power, civil or military, shall
interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage.

All persons charged with crime shall be bailable
by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is
evident, or the presumption great.

All persons charged with crime shall be bailable
by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is
evident, or the presumption great.

Section 21.

Section 21.

Section 21.

Treason
against the state shall consist only in levying war against the same, or
adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort; and no person shall be
convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same
overt act, or on his own confession in open court.

The right of trial by jury shall remain
inviolate, but the legislature may provide for a jury of any number less than
twelve in courts not of record, and for a verdict by nine or more jurors in
civil cases in any court of record, and for waiving of the jury in civil
cases where the consent of the parties interested is given thereto.

The right of trial by jury shall remain
inviolate, but the legislature may provide for a jury of any number less than
twelve in courts not of record, and for a verdict by nine or more jurors in
civil cases in any court of record, and for waiving of the jury in civil
cases where the consent of the parties interested is given thereto.

Section 22.

Section 22.

Section 22.

No
person shall be transported out of the state for any offense committed with
the same, and no conviction shall work a corruption of blood or forfeiture of
estate.

In criminal prosecution, the accused shall have
the right to appear and defend in person, and by counsel, to demand the
nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a copy thereof, to
testify in his own behalf, to meet the witnesses against him face to face, to
have compulsory process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his own
behalf, to have a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county in
which the offense is alleged to have been committed, and the right to appeal
in all cases; and, in no instance, shall any accused person before final
judgment be compelled to advance money or fees to secure the rights herein
guaranteed.

In criminal prosecutions the accused shall have
the right to appear and defend in person, or by counsel, to demand the nature
and cause of the accusation against him, to have a copy thereof, to testify
in his own behalf, to meet the witnesses against him face to face, to have
compulsory process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his own behalf,
to have a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the county in which the
offense is charged to have been committed and the right to appeal in all cases:
Provided, The route traversed
by any railway coach, train or public conveyance, and the water traversed by
any boat shall be criminal districts; and the jurisdiction of all public
offenses committed on any such railway car, coach, train, boat or other
public conveyance, or at any station or depot upon such route, shall be in
any county through which the said car, coach, train, boat or other public
conveyance may pass during the trip or voyage, or in which the trip or voyage
may begin or terminate. In no instance shall any accused person before final
judgment be compelled to advance money or fees to secure the rights herein
guaranteed. [AMENDMENT 10, 1921 p 79 Section 1. Approved November, 1922.]

Section 23.

Section 23.

Section 23.

All
lands within the state are declared to be allodial, and feudal tenures, with all their incidents, are prohibited. Liens and grants of agricultural lands for a longer term than
fifteen years, in which rent or services of any kind shall be reserved, and
all fines and like restraints upon alienation reserved in any grant of land
hereafter made, are declared to be void.

No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law
impairing the obligations of contracts shall ever be passed.

No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law
impairing the obligations of contracts shall ever be passed.

Section 24.

Section 24.

Section 24.

No law
shall be passed, granting to any citizen or class of citizens, privileges or
immunities which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all
citizens.

The right of the individual citizen to bear arms
in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing
individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of
men.

The right of the individual citizen to bear arms
in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in
this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to
organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.

Section
25.

Section 25.

Section 25.

The operation of the laws shall never
be suspended, except by the authority of the legislature.

Offenses heretofore required to be prosecuted by
indictment may be prosecuted by information, or by indictment, as shall be
prescribed by law.

Offenses heretofore required to be prosecuted by
indictment may be prosecuted by information, or by indictment, as shall be
prescribed by law.

Section 26.

Section 26.

Section 26.

The
enumeration of this constitution of certain rights, shall not be construed to
deny, impair or disparage others retained by the people.

No Grand jury shall be drawn or
summoned in any county, EXCEPT the superior judge thereof shall so order.

No Grand jury shall be drawn or
summoned in any county, except the superior judge
thereof shall so order.

Section 27.

Section 27.

Treason against the state shall consist only in
levying war against the state, or adhering to its enemies, or in giving them
aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or confession in open court.

Treason against the state shall consist only in
levying war against the state, or adhering to its enemies, or in giving them
aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the
testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or confession in open court.

Section 28.

Section 28.

No hereditary emoluments, privileges, or powers,
shall be granted or conferred in this state.

No hereditary emoluments, privileges, or powers,
shall be granted or conferred in this state.

Section 29.

Section 29.

The provisions of this Constitution are
mandatory, unless by express words they are declared to be otherwise.

The provisions of this Constitution are
mandatory, unless by express words they are declared to be otherwise.

Section 30.

Section 30.

The enumeration in this Constitution of certain
rights shall not be construed to deny others retained by the people.

The enumeration in this Constitution of certain
rights shall not be construed to deny others retained by the people.

Section 31.

Section 31.

No standing army shall be kept up by this state
in time of peace, and no soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any
house without the consent of its owner, nor in time of war except in the
manner prescribed by law.

No standing army shall be kept up by this state
in time of peace, and no soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any
house without the consent of its owner, nor in time of war except in the
manner prescribed by law.

Section 32.

Section 32.

A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles
is essential to the security of individual right and the perpetuity of free
government.

A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles
is essential to the security of individual right and the perpetuity of free
government.

Section 33.

Every elective public officer of the state of
Washington expect [except] judges of courts of record is subject to recall
and discharge by the legal voters of the state, or of the political
subdivision of the state, from which he was elected whenever a petition
demanding his recall, reciting that such officer has committed some act or
acts of malfeasance or misfeasance while in office, or who has violated his
oath of office, stating the matters complained of, signed by the percentages
of the qualified electors thereof, hereinafter provided, the percentage
required to be computed from the total number of votes cast for all
candidates for his said office to which he was elected at the preceding
election, is filed with the officer with whom a petition for nomination, or
certificate for nomination, to such office must be filed under the laws of
this state, and the same officer shall call a special election as provided by
the general election laws of this state, and the result determined as therein
provided. [AMENDMENT 8, 1911 p
504 Section 1. Approved November, 1912.]

Section 34.

The legislature shall pass the necessary laws to
carry out the provisions of section thirty-three (33) of this article, and to
facilitate its operation and effect without delay: Provided, That the authority hereby conferred upon the legislature shall
not be construed to grant to the legislature any exclusive power of lawmaking
nor in any way limit the initiative and referendum powers reserved by the
people. The percentages required shall be, state officers, other than judges,
senators and representatives, city officers of cities of the first class,
school district boards in cities of the first class; county officers of
counties of the first, second and third classes, twenty-five per cent.
Officers of all other political subdivisions, cities, towns, townships,
precincts and school districts not herein mentioned, and state senators and
representatives, thirty-five per cent. [AMENDMENT
8, 1911 p 504 Section 1. Approved November, 1912.]

Section 35.

Effective law enforcement
depends on cooperation from victims of crime. To ensure victims a meaningful
role in the criminal justice system and to accord them due dignity and
respect, victims of crime are hereby granted the following basic and
fundamental rights.

Upon notifying the prosecuting
attorney, a victim of a crime charged as a felony shall have the right to be
informed of and, subject to the discretion of the individual presiding over
the trial or court proceedings, attend trial and all other court proceedings
the defendant has the right to attend, and to make a statement at sentencing
and at any proceeding where the defendant's release is considered, subject to
the same rules of procedure which govern the defendant's rights. In the event
the victim is deceased, incompetent, a minor, or otherwise unavailable, the
prosecuting attorney may identify a representative to appear to exercise the
victim's rights. This provision shall not constitute a basis for error in
favor of a defendant in a criminal proceeding nor a basis for providing a
victim or the victim's representative with court appointed counsel. [AMENDMENT 84, 1989 Senate Joint
Resolution No. 8200, p 2999. Approved November 7, 1989.]