Theft Charges

Theft 3 or Third Degree Theft is a gross misdemeanor in Washington State. Most shoplifting charges fall into this category.

It is a good idea to speak with a theft lawyer as early in the process as possible. A mishandled case can result in jail time, even if you have no criminal history.

A good theft attorney can work to:

1. Prevent charges from being filed
2. Negotiate a non-criminal settlement with the retailer or person
3. Negotiate charges to be dropped, reduced, or slowly dismissed
4. Win at trial (if necessary)

In Washington State, there are three different degrees for theft, depending on the value of the stolen property. As you can see below, maximum penalties for an adult theft conviction are harsh, even for a misdemeanor Theft 3 conviction.

3rd Degree Theft (Theft 3) RCW 9A.56.050

• Gross Misdemeanor
• Value of property is $750 or less
• Maximum jail time is 364 days
• Maximum fine is $5000

• Class C felony
• Property is worth more than $750 but less than $5000
• Maximum jail time is 5 years
• Maximum fine is $10,000

• Class B felony
• Property is worth more than $5000
• Maximum jail time is 10 years
• Maximum fine is $20,000

Yes, even a first time Theft 3 offense in WA State can result in jail time, fines, and probation. This is especially true if you make one of the common mistakes that unrepresented defendants often make.

Only an attorney should hear and tell your side of the story. This will preserve your rights and prevent you from making incriminating statements to law enforcement, the court, or to the merchant/loss prevention department.

Unfortunately, a conviction for theft or shoplifting can result in employment termination or the denial of a job opportunity. Employers often consider theft related crimes to be “crimes of dishonesty.” A theft conviction can also prevent you from obtaining housing, professional licenses, security clearances, and college admission. For non-US citizens, there can be immigration consequences.

In addition to the criminal complaint, a retail shoplifting incident can also result in a civil lawsuit initiated by the retail establishment. Larger retail chain stores commonly file lawsuits, even when the dollar value of the merchandise is under $100.

If we negotiate a settlement directly with the retailer, the criminal case can sometimes be dismissed through Washington’s Compromise of Misdemeanor Law. Under this law, the court can (at its discretion) dismiss the criminal charge, if your shoplifting attorney can provide evidence that restitution (payment) has been willfully accepted by the merchant or person.

Loss prevention employees will often want you to sign a Notice of Trespass, which is a civil (non-criminal) remedy to prevent you from returning to the store. Although you are not required to sign any documentation, it may be in your best interest to acknowledge the Notice of Trespass, to avoid having law enforcement respond to the incident.

However, you should decline to discuss the incident with Loss Prevention and avoid signing anything outlining the incident or admitting to theft. The best course of action is to remain silent and contact a theft attorney immediately.

At Beckwith Law, we have experience negotiating favorable outcomes with most Loss Prevention departments in Washington State. These stores include Target, Walmart, Macys, Costco, Nordstrom, Kroger, Lowes, & Home Depot.

No, you should preserve your rights and speak with an attorney for guidance. An attorney can often negotiate a more favorable result, even if there is overwhelming evidence or a confession was given at the time of citation or arrest.

The prosecutor in a theft case must prove that you did not accidentally take the merchandise or other property. Establishing criminal intent and obtaining evidence that you stole property can be a difficult task for the prosecutor, especially when your defense is putting up a good fight.

Additionally, witness accounts of any alleged crime are often unreliable, and this fact can work in your favor. As experienced theft attorneys, we can raise a wide range of arguments to weaken Washington State's case against you.

At Beckwith Law, we are experienced theft lawyers with offices in Tacoma and Seattle. We fight for clients in the courts of Pierce County, King County, Thurston County, Snohomish County, & Kitsap County.

Our experience and ability to uncover evidentiary issues can often result in case dismissals or significantly reduced consequences. The great majority of our theft cases result in favorable negotiations, avoiding the risk and time of trial.

If necessary, we will fight your case at trial, where we have an exceptional record. Beckwith Law has a proven track record in courts that include Tacoma, Seattle, Bellevue, Olympia, Everett, Kent, & Puyallup.

You can call us any day of the week (including after-hours) to get your questions answered during the free consultation.

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