What are Theft Offenses in Washington?

In Washington there are different theft offenses for different situations, and they range from misdemeanors to felonies. In Washington State some offenses have different levels of classifications, with the most serious classifications having the most serious consequences. For example a regular Theft charge has three different degrees of seriousness, Theft in the Third Degree being the least serious, and Theft in the First Degree being the most.

Here is a list of Common Washington Theft Offenses:

Read more about a charge by clicking on it below:

• Theft:

  • Theft in the Third Degree

  • Theft in the Second Degree

  • Theft in the First Degree

• Motor Vehicle Theft Offenses:

  • Theft of a Motor Vehicle

  • Possession of Stolen Vehicle

  • Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission (in the First or Second Degree)

  • Making or Possessing Motor Vehicle Theft Tools

  • Vehicle Prowling

• Possession of Stolen Property (in the First or Second or Third Degree)

• Extortion (in the First or Second Degree)

• Robbery (in the First or Second Degree)

• Burglary

• Residential Burglary

• Firearm Theft Offenses

  • Theft of a Firearm

  • Possession of a Stolen Firearm

• Fraud Charges

  • Financial Fraud

  • Possession of Another’s Identification

  • Unlawful Issuance of Checks or Drafts

• Mail theft

• Retail Theft

Assault Of A Child

What is an Assault on a Child?

Assault of a Child is a Class B Felony in Washington. While regular Assault does not necessarily require an allegation of harm or injury at the lower levels of Assault; Assault on a Child generally requires serious allegations of harm. Lesser crimes against children are typically charged as Criminal Mistreatment, discussed below. Assault of a Child is a crime with two levels of classifications, with the First Degree being the most serious. Understanding the basic definition of an Assault is important to understanding the charge of Assault on a Child and are discussed in more detail below. You can read in depth about Assault here.

Criminal Mistreatment

What is Criminal Mistreatment?

In Washington State charges for child abuse, neglect, and endangerment as well as elder abuse all fall within the charges of Criminal Mistreatment, of which there are several different levels. The offenses of Criminal Mistreatment are outlined RCW chapter 9A.42. In Washington, some crimes have different levels of classifications of crimes, with the most serious classifications having the most serious consequences. Criminal Mistreatment is one of these, and it has four different degrees of seriousness, Criminal Mistreatment in the Fourth Degree being the least serious, and Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree being the most. These charges range from misdemeanors to felonies, read more on each below.

What are the different charges of Criminal Mistreatment?

• Criminal Mistreatment in the Fourth Degree

  • This offense is a misdemeanor

  • Punishments for a misdemeanor range as follows:

    • 0-90 days of jail

    • fines of $0-$1000

• Criminal Mistreatment in the Third Degree

  • This offense is a gross misdemeanor

  • Punishments for a gross misdemeanor range as follows:

    • 0-364 days of jail

    • fines of $0-$5000

• Criminal Mistreatment in the Second Degree

  • This offense is a Class C felony

  • Punishments for a Class C felony range as follows:

    • 0-5 years of prison (this may vary dependent upon your offender score, history, and charges)

    • fines of $0-$10,000

• Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree

  • This offense is a Class B felony

  • Punishments for a Class B felony range as follows:

    • 0-10 years of prison (this may vary dependent upon your offender score, history, and charges)

    • fines of $0-$20,000

What are Theft Offenses in Washington?

In Washington there are different theft offenses for different situations, and they range from misdemeanors to felonies. In Washington State some offenses have different levels of classifications, with the most serious classifications having the most serious consequences. For example a regular Theft charge has three different degrees of seriousness, Theft in the Third Degree being the least serious, and Theft in the First Degree being the most.

Here is a list of Common Washington Theft Offenses:

Read more about a charge by clicking on it below:

• Theft:

  • Theft in the Third Degree

  • Theft in the Second Degree

  • Theft in the First Degree

• Motor Vehicle Theft Offenses:

  • Theft of a Motor Vehicle

  • Possession of Stolen Vehicle

  • Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission (in the First or Second Degree)

  • Making or Possessing Motor Vehicle Theft Tools

  • Vehicle Prowling

• Possession of Stolen Property (in the First or Second or Third Degree)

• Extortion (in the First or Second Degree)

• Robbery (in the First or Second Degree)

• Burglary

• Residential Burglary

• Firearm Theft Offenses

  • Theft of a Firearm

  • Possession of a Stolen Firearm

• Fraud Charges

  • Financial Fraud

  • Possession of Another’s Identification

  • Unlawful Issuance of Checks or Drafts

• Mail theft

• Retail Theft

HOW WE CAN HELP WITH YOUR WHIDBEY ISLAND CRIMINAL CASE

We have experience and a good reputation in this community

I lived on Whidbey Island, and began my career as an attorney as a public defender in Island County from misdemeanors in the District Court to the most serious Felony cases in Superior Court. Because of that experience, I spent every day in the courts and jails of Island County. I understand the expectations and preferences of the judges, and I know what you need to do to be able to navigate the Island County legal system through the jails and courts.

I have handled a wide variety of cases in this county, including through a successful win at trial. I have also helped clients get into diversion programs, including working with the Island County Drug Court program. I can help you achieve the absolute best outcome for your case, no matter the seriousness.

As an attorney in this community I am known for fiercely advocating for my clients, but also being a professional who my peers enjoy working with, even when we are adversaries. This is how I get the best results for my clients, by fighting for you and being a trusted and hardworking legal professional.

We believe in the work that we do

I truly got into criminal defense because I care about helping people. As an attorney I don’t believe that being a tough adversary in the courtroom comes at the cost of compassion. I am here to walk you and your family through the most difficult time in your life, and help you look at the whole picture. People are far more than just the things they have been accused of, my job is to listen to you and tell your story while helping you get your best possible outcome.

Stalking

What is Stalking?

Under RCW Chapter 9A.46.110, Stalking may be charged when the allegations are as follows:

• Without lawful authority, you have:

  • Intentionally and repeatedly harassed someone

  • Intentionally and repeatedly followed someone

  • Intentionally contacted, followed, tracked, or monitored, someone after being given actual notice that person does not want them to; or attempted to do so

  • Knowingly and without consent installed or monitored an electronic tracking device to track the location of another person

• And the person subject to this suffers substantial emotional distress or fear that the stalker intends to injure them, another person, or their property or another’s property

What actually is substantial emotional distress or fear?

Substantial emotional distress or fear is measured by what a reasonable person in the same situation would experience given the totality of the circumstances.

In the case of using a tracking device, under this law he victim's knowledge of the tracking device is considered to be sufficient to have reasonably elicited substantial emotional distress or fear.