Definiciones sobre agencias y oficiales de la ley en Washington

Explicación Simple

Esta sección explica qué son las agencias de la ley en Washington y quiénes trabajan en ellas. Hay dos tipos de agencias: unas que pueden hacer cumplir todas las leyes y otras que solo se enfocan en temas específicos, como el medio ambiente o el juego.

Es como si en una escuela hubiera profesores de matemáticas que enseñan todas las materias y profesores de arte que solo enseñan dibujo. Ambos son importantes, pero tienen diferentes enfoques.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Laura, una oficial de la policía de Seattle, está patrullando la ciudad. Ella tiene la autoridad general para detener a cualquier persona que cometa un delito. Por otro lado, el agente de la Comisión de Juegos, Carlos, solo puede actuar si alguien está violando las leyes relacionadas con los juegos de azar.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

RCW 10.93.020 - Definitions As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "General authority Washington law enforcement agency" means any agency, department, or division of a municipal corporation, political subdivision, or other unit of local government of this state, and any agency, department, or division of state government, having as its primary function the detection and apprehension of persons committing infractions or violating the traffic or criminal laws in general, as distinguished from a limited authority Washington law enforcement agency, and any other unit of government expressly designated by statute as a general authority Washington law enforcement agency. The Washington state patrol and the department of fish and wildlife are general authority Washington law enforcement agencies.(2) "Limited authority Washington law enforcement agency" means any agency, political subdivision, or unit of local government of this state, and any agency, department, or division of state government, having as one of its functions the apprehension or detection of persons committing infractions or violating the traffic or criminal laws relating to limited subject areas, including but not limited to, the state departments of natural resources and social and health services, the state gambling commission, the state lottery commission, the state parks and recreation commission, the state utilities and transportation commission, the state liquor control board, the office of the insurance commissioner, and the state department of corrections.(3) "General authority Washington peace officer" means any full-time, fully compensated and elected, appointed, or employed officer of a general authority Washington