If you or someone you love is facing a felony charge in Spokane, you’re probably worried about more than crime statistics. Can you keep working? Will you go to jail? What happens next? Local data can provide perspective, but understanding the specific charge and protecting your rights are the immediate priorities.
Spokane County Superior Court recorded 2,304 cases in its felony filing categories in 2025. Separately, prosecutors filed 3,855 original felony counts. Those figures measure different things: one case can contain several charges. Neither number represents convictions or the total crimes committed in Spokane.
Below, we explain the latest complete annual court data, what qualifies as a felony under Washington law, and the steps to take if you’re accused.
What Counts as a Felony in Washington?
Under RCW 9A.04.040, a crime is a felony if Washington law designates it as one or authorizes imprisonment for more than one year. The classification depends on the law governing the offense, rather than the sentence a particular person ultimately receives.
A felony doesn’t have to involve violence. Certain theft, burglary, fraud, and drug distribution offenses can qualify.
It also doesn’t automatically mean someone will spend more than a year in prison. The actual sentence depends on the conviction, applicable sentencing rules, criminal history, and other legally relevant circumstances.
If you’ve been charged, a Spokane felony defense attorney can identify the exact statute involved and explain what the prosecution must prove.
How Common Are Felony Charges in Spokane County?
The Washington Administrative Office of the Courts’ 2025 annual report, published March 11, 2026, provides a direct measure of local criminal court filings. These figures cover Spokane County Superior Court, rather than just the City of Spokane.
Assault was the largest felony case category, followed by theft/burglary. When counting individual felony charges, theft/burglary was slightly higher than assault.
The court also reported 3,279 total criminal filings, but that broader figure includes misdemeanor categories, lower-court appeals, and matters opened before formal charges were filed. Calling all 3,279 filings “felony cases” would overstate the total.
Why Cases and Individual Charges Have Different Totals
Courts classify a criminal case by its most serious original charge. The original-counts table separately records each charge in the initial charging document, as explained in the Washington Courts reporting glossary.
For example, a case involving burglary and assault may appear once in the case table while contributing multiple counts to the charges table.
These numbers show how often charges entered the court system. They don’t establish how many unique people were accused, how many allegations were proven, or how many defendants received prison sentences.
What Do the Latest Spokane Crime Updates Show?
Police crime reports and court filings answer different questions. Police data describes reported offenses. Court data describes cases and charges filed for prosecution.
In a September 30, 2026 update, the Spokane Police Department reported progress in reducing both property and violent crime. It also announced a community safety strategy focused on reducing serious violence during 2026 and 2027. That update provides current context, but it isn’t a complete annual 2026 felony filing report.
For current reported-offense information, the Spokane Police Department public dashboard provides regularly updated city data. SPD cautions that figures can change because of reporting timelines, updates, and case reclassification.
A city crime total shouldn’t be treated as a county felony total. Some reported offenses are misdemeanors, some never result in charges, and a prosecution may involve conduct from an earlier year.
Which Offenses Can Lead to Felony Charges?
The name of an allegation doesn’t always tell you its legal classification. The degree of the offense, alleged conduct, and sometimes qualifying prior convictions matter.
Assault Charges
Second-degree assault is generally a Class B felony. Washington’s second-degree assault statute includes allegations involving substantial bodily harm, a deadly weapon, or strangulation or suffocation, among other circumstances.
Fourth-degree assault is generally a gross misdemeanor, although specified domestic violence circumstances and qualifying prior convictions can make it a felony. A domestic violence allegation alone does not automatically make every assault a felony.
Theft and Property Offenses
For ordinary theft of property or services, Washington generally uses these value thresholds:
- $750 or less: Third-degree theft, generally a gross misdemeanor.
- More than $750 through $5,000: Second-degree theft, a Class C felony.
- More than $5,000: First-degree theft, a Class B felony.
Special rules apply to certain property and circumstances, so value alone doesn’t resolve every case. These distinctions appear in Washington’s third-degree, second-degree, and first-degree theft statutes.
Drug Possession and Distribution
Simple possession shouldn’t be grouped automatically with felony drug crimes.
Under current RCW 69.50.4013, unlawful knowing possession of a controlled substance is generally a gross misdemeanor, subject to statutory exceptions. The usual maximum is 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine; qualifying repeat convictions can increase the jail maximum to 364 days.
Manufacturing, delivering, or possessing a controlled substance with intent to manufacture or deliver can carry felony penalties under RCW 69.50.401. The substance and applicable provision affect the classification and penalties.
An attorney handling drug charges in Spokane can examine whether the evidence supports the alleged offense and whether officers obtained it lawfully.
What Are the Potential Penalties for a Spokane Felony?
Washington generally divides felonies into three classes. RCW 9A.20.021 establishes these maximum penalties unless another statute specifically sets a different maximum:
For many Washington felonies, the standard sentencing range depends on the offense seriousness level and the defendant’s offender score. Applicable enhancements can add time. RCW 9.94A.530 explains how those ranges are determined.
You deserve an explanation of the likely sentencing issues in your own case. Reading the maximum penalty online can be frightening, but it doesn’t tell you what your outcome will be.
What Should You Do After a Felony Arrest or Charge?
Start with steps that protect your rights and preserve your options:
- Ask for an attorney before discussing the allegations. You have the right to remain silent about the facts of your case. Don’t assume you can clear things up through an informal conversation with investigators.
- Keep every court document. Save charging papers, hearing notices, release conditions, and any no-contact order. Make sure you understand what each requires.
- Preserve potential evidence. Keep relevant messages, photographs, receipts, and witness information. Don’t delete or alter anything.
- Avoid public discussions of the case. Social media posts and conversations about the allegations can create additional problems.
- Arrange representation promptly. If you can’t afford counsel, Spokane County Pretrial Services provides a process for applying for a court-appointed attorney.
Family members can help by organizing paperwork and supporting attendance at court dates. Trying to persuade a witness or alleged victim to change their account can make matters worse.
A Felony Charge Doesn’t Have to Decide Your Future
A charge is an accusation. Washington law presumes a criminal defendant innocent and requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt for conviction.
An experienced Spokane criminal defense attorney can review the evidence, evaluate possible defenses, challenge unlawful searches where appropriate, and explain the risks of a plea offer or trial.
Bugbee Law’s published felony case results include a Spokane case in which first-degree burglary and fourth-degree assault charges were reduced to fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor. Every case is different, and that result does not promise a similar outcome. It does illustrate why the original charge and final resolution can differ.
If you’re facing felony charges, schedule a free consultation with Bugbee Law to discuss the allegations, upcoming hearings, and available defense options.
With a deep commitment to protecting his clients’ rights, Christopher Bugbee draws on 30 years of criminal law experience—both as a prosecutor and defense attorney. He’s earned top ratings from legal peers and clients alike on Avvo and is consistently ranked among the region’s top criminal defense attorneys.
