Shoplifting (Retail Theft)

Shoplifting is also referred to as retail theft, and it's a common crime in Olympia, Washington. While many people view shoplifting as a minor infraction, it is a serious crime with penalties that can dramatically affect a person's life, if they're convicted. Our Olympia shoplifting lawyers can help if you or someone in your family was arrested for shoplifting in Olympia and charged with retail theft.

The lawyers at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe have decades of collective experience, and will help you protect your rights while seeking measures to have your charges dropped or the penalties minimized.

This severity of these penalties will directly correlate with the value of the stolen merchandise. In Washington State, if the stolen items were valued at more than $5,000 it is considered first degree theft. This is a Class B felony, and the penalties incurred by an Olympia shoplifting conviction would include up to $20,000 in fines and 10 years in prison, with the possibility of additional civil damages being awarded to the owner of the merchandise.

If the value of the stolen property was between $750 and $5,000, the perpetrator of the Olympia shoplifting crime would be charged with second degree theft. As a Class C felony, penalties would include fines of up to $10,000 and five years in prison. Lastly, if the dollar amount of the merchandise was less than $750, the shoplifting charge would be third degree theft, which is a gross misdemeanor. If you're convicted of this crime in Olympia, you could spend up to a year in jail and pay fines totaling $5,000.

Another potentially devastating effect of a retail theft conviction is the acquisition of a criminal record that will become a permanent part of your life. This could prevent you from getting a good job or even renting a dwelling. Our Olympia shoplifting attorneys can help you face these charges head-on, and all it requires is that you schedule a consultation today.

Why is it important to retain an experienced Olympia attorney to deal with shoplifting charges? Because when it comes to retail theft, prosecutors will often seek the most severe punishments allowable by law. Our Olympia shoplifting attorneys seek to counter these tactics and mitigate the punishments you're facing.

This is made possible by our lengthy experience handling shoplifting cases in Olympia, combined with our extensive knowledge of the law and local courts. We understand that this is an embarrassing situation, and that you're worried about the possibility of going to jail or paying fines you can't afford. However, don't let the emotionally draining nature of an Olympia shoplifting charge prevent you from taking steps to protect your future. Contact one of our Olympia shoplifting lawyers today and make sure you get reliable counsel from a team of litigators that care about the end result of your case.