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Contracts

void for illegal purpose

An attempt to contract for an illegal purpose—to commit a murder or other crime or to facilitate an illegal objective (a promissory note for the purchase of illegal drugs)—is unenforceable and does not create a contract. A purported contract that is found to be for an illegal purpose is void and treated as if it never existed.

In Washington State, as in all other states, a contract that is created for an illegal purpose is considered void and unenforceable. This means that if a contract's objective is to commit a crime, such as murder, or to facilitate an illegal activity, such as the purchase of illegal drugs, the law treats the contract as if it never existed. Washington follows the general legal principle that contracts must have a lawful object to be valid. If the purpose of the contract violates the law, public policy, or is otherwise deemed illegal, the courts will not enforce the agreement, and parties cannot seek legal remedies to enforce the terms of such a contract. This is grounded in the idea that the law should not be used to perpetuate or encourage illegal acts.

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Contracts

void for illegal purpose

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

Washington State Code

Washington State Code

Contracts

void for illegal purpose

Articles