Theft in Kent

Theft applies to a number of different situations, which creates confusion when addressing a criminal charge. Theft convictions incur court-imposed punishments that vary with the severity of the offense, plus the embarrassment of being labeled a thief and obtaining a criminal record. Our Kent theft lawyers urge you to take any theft charge seriously, as these crimes are often prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We will aggressively pursue the dismissal of your theft charges, but if this proves impossible we will work hard to have your penalties reduced in some way.

If you take property that doesn't belong to you, the crime is considered a theft, whether force was used or not. Theft charges can result from committing fraud, robbery, shoplifting, and embezzlement, among other crimes. If a deadly weapon was used during the theft, or a financial institution like a bank was the primary target, a conviction could lead to lengthy prison sentence.

First Degree Theft is charged when the value of the stolen merchandise was more than $1,500, and is a Class B felony in Washington. Penalties for a first degree theft conviction include up to ten years in prison and $20,000 in fines.

Second Degree Theft is a Class C felony charged to those who steal merchandise valued between $750 and $1,500. A conviction for this crime results in a mandatory prison sentence of up to five years and $10,000 in fines.

Third Degree Theft is a gross misdemeanor charged to those whose theft is valued at less than $750. A conviction could result in up to a year in Kent jail and fines totaling $5,000.

Defending someone against a theft charge in Washington State can be complicated, but our Kent theft attorneys can look into various options such as diversion programs, which prevents you from obtaining a criminal record.

If you've been accused of a Kent theft and have never been in trouble with the law, then you may be able to have your charges lowered or your punishments reduced. Our Kent theft attorneys believe that everybody deserves to have their story told, which is why we act as your personal advocate with the court.

The Kent theft lawyers at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe urge you to take this situation seriously. With more than three decades of combined experience, we've seen how devastating a theft conviction can be. Especially when you consider that multiple theft charges can accompany one crime. For instance, if you attempt to resell stolen property you can be charged with theft and trafficking.

Schedule your own personal, cost-free consultation today, and let our Kent theft lawyers aggressively protect your legal rights.