Organized Retail Theft

In Washington State, if two or more people are involved in shoplifting, they may be charged with Organized Retail Theft, which elevates the crime to a Felony instead of a Gross Misdemeanor. Organized Retail Theft can be either a Class B Felony or a Class C Felony, depending on the value of the items being stolen. The value of items stolen over 180 days can be aggregated to increase the severity of the crime. RCW 9A.56.350 is the Organized Retail Theft Statute. It states as follows:

• (1)  A person is guilty of organized retail theft if he or she:
      
  • (a)  Commits theft of property with a value of at least seven hundred fifty dollars from a mercantile establishment with an accomplice;
      
  • (b)  Possesses stolen property, as defined in RCW 9A.56.140, with a value of at least seven hundred fifty dollars from a mercantile establishment with an accomplice; or
      
  • (c)  Commits theft of property with a cumulative value of at least seven hundred fifty dollars from one or more mercantile establishments within a period of up to one hundred eighty days.
• (2)  A person is guilty of organized retail theft in the first degree if the property stolen or possessed has a value of five thousand dollars or more. Organized retail theft in the first degree is a class B felony.
• (3)  A person is guilty of organized retail theft in the second degree if the property stolen or possessed has a value of at least seven hundred fifty dollars, but less than five thousand dollars. Organized retail theft in the second degree is a class C felony.
• (4)  For purposes of this section, a series of thefts committed by the same person from one or more mercantile establishments over a period of one hundred eighty days may be aggregated in one count and the sum of the value of all the property shall be the value considered in determining the degree of the organized retail theft involved. Thefts committed by the same person in different counties that have been aggregated in one county may be prosecuted in any county in which any one of the thefts occurred.
• (5)  The mercantile establishment or establishments whose property is alleged to have been stolen may request that the charge be aggregated with other thefts of property about which the mercantile establishment or establishments is aware. In the event a request to aggregate the prosecution is declined, the mercantile establishment or establishments shall be promptly advised by the prosecuting jurisdiction making the decision to decline aggregating the prosecution of the decision and the reasons for such decision.

If you, or someone you care about, has been charged (or may be) with Organized Retail Theft in King County, Skagit County, Snohomish County, or Whatcom County, call Ashbach Law Offices, LLC today at (360) 659-4950 for a free, no-pressure case evaluation. With a reputation in the legal community as aggressive, effective and successful criminal defense attorneys, we are here to help you through your difficult times.