Yelm Theft

If you have been arrested and accused of taking something that belongs to another person, your charges could take many different forms.

Washington State Statute RCW 9A.56.020 lays out three specific definitions for the crime of theft
“(a) To wrongfully obtain or exert unauthorized control over the property or services of another or the value thereof, with intent to deprive him or her of such property or services; or
(b) By color or aid of deception to obtain control over the property or services of another or the value thereof, with intent to deprive him or her of such property or services; or
(c) To appropriate lost or misdelivered property or services of another, or the value thereof, with intent to deprive him or her of such property or services.”

Common types of theft our team of Yelm criminal defense attorneys have worked on include:

• Petty theft/shoplifting
• Grand theft auto/carjacking
• Theft of services
• Identity theft or cyber theft
• Possession of stolen property

If convicted, you may be subject to jail time and/or heavy fines. Beyond the criminal penalties resulting from a theft conviction, you could also be subject to civil penalties. Victims of theft can file claims for restitution as well as punitive damages. If you or a loved one has been charged with theft, it is crucial that you contact a Thurston County criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options. Our firm has over 50 combined years of legal experience and is prepared to aggressively fight for your freedom and your future.

Whether you’re watching television or a movie, reading the newspaper, or a crime novel; theft, burglary, and robbery are three terms that are often used interchangeably. Some states prosecute these crimes under one charge, but under Washington state law, theft, burglary, and robbery are three distinct types of charges.

In the above section, we cite the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) to provide the legal definition of theft. In layman’s terms, theft is the taking of anything which has value, without the consent of the person to whom it belongs. An example of this would be if you pretended to be a Nigerian Prince and emailed somebody asking them to send you money.

The definition of burglary is more focused on entering and remaining on a person or business’s property unlawfully with the intent to commit a crime. If you were to break into someone’s home in order to steal their prize-winning french bulldog, you would be guilty of burglary.

The law defines robbery as the taking of personal property from someone’s person unlawfully or using violence, force, or the threat of violence to take the property. Robbery is very similar to theft, however, the noticeable difference is the use of violence or force to take the property. Because the use, or threat, of harm is included in a robbery charge, it carries more severe penalties than most theft charges. If you were to walk into a bakery brandishing a knife and demand all of the cookies, you would be guilty of robbery.

Like most crimes in Washington state, theft crimes are categorized by class. The value of the stolen item, the intent of the perpetrator, and the method by which the crime was committed are factors that determine the category of a theft crime, and the punishments involved for conviction of that charge. The categories range from misdemeanor charges to very serious felony charges.

Theft in the 1st Degree- This charge is applied when the stolen property or cash is valued at or above $5,000, or the theft includes a firearm or motor vehicle. Theft 1 is a Class B Felony, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $20,000.
Theft in the 2nd Degree- This charge is applied when the stolen property or cash is valued from $750 to $5,000, or when the stolen item is an account access device like a key-card or access code. Theft 2 is a Class C Felony and carries penalties of up to five years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000
Theft in the 3rd Degree- This charge is applied when the stolen property or cash is valued below $750. Most shoplifting crimes, also known as retail theft, are charged as Theft in the 3rd degree. Theft 3 is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
Possession of Stolen Property in the 1st Degree- This charge is applied when the accused holds stolen property or goods that exceed $5000 in value and is a Class B Felony.
Possession of Stolen Property in the 2nd Degree- This charge is applied when the accused holds stolen property or goods that value between $750-$5000, public records, or access devices, and is a Class C Felony. Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd Degree- This charge is applied when the accused holds stolen property or goods worth less than $750 and is considered a gross misdemeanor.
Theft of a Motor Vehicle- This charge is fairly self-explanatory, and is charged as a Class B Felony.
Possession of Stolen Vehicle- Similarly to Theft of a Motor Vehicle, this charge is subtly different in that you may not have actually stolen the vehicle, but if you purchased or were given a stolen vehicle, the government may charge you with this crime. It is also charged as a Class B Felony.
Theft of Livestock- Go ahead and laugh- people steal cows and pigs? Sadly, it happens frequently enough to merit having its own theft law on the books, with serious repercussions. If convicted of this felony, you may face up to ten years in prison. Additionally, state statute RCW 9A.56.085 puts forth that any adult who is convicted of this charge must pay the amount of $2,000 for each animal that was stolen.

Being convicted of any theft charges can impact your life in many ways, beyond just jail time or fines. The conviction stays on your criminal record, which could inhibit your ability to secure housing or find a job. Many employers will not hire someone convicted of theft regardless of the circumstances. Students with a criminal record could also face obstacles in obtaining scholarships, student loans, or even admission into the school of their choice. If you or a loved one has been accused of a theft crime, don't fight the criminal justice system alone - contact our team of Yelm theft defense lawyers for help.

Depending on the facts of your case, multiple defense options may be available if you have been charged with theft in Thurston County. You need an experienced Yelm criminal defense attorney that understands the defense strategies that are available to someone charged with theft and has tried many theft, burglary, and robbery charges in Thurston County.

Dealing with criminal charges alone can be a frightening experience. That's why our Yelm theft defense team is the right choice to represent you. We have the experience and resources necessary to defend you against theft charges, no matter what the circumstances may be. Contact us today so that we can put our experience to work for you.