What is Considered Larceny in Seattle?

What is Considered Larceny in Seattle?

Hey there! If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering what exactly counts as larceny here in Seattle. Well, you came to the right place, cause I’m gonna break it all down for you.

Larceny – also known as theft – is basically when someone takes someone else’s property without permission. There’s a bunch of different types of larceny charges here in Washington State. The main things that determine what type of theft you get charged with are 1) how much the stuff you took is worth, and 2) if you used force or weapons when taking it.

Misdemeanor Petty Theft

If you steal stuff that’s worth $750 or less, you can be charged with misdemeanor petty theft, aka theft in the third degree[3]. This is basically shoplifting – taking stuff from a store without paying. Misdemeanor petty theft is the lowest level theft charge.

It’s still a criminal charge though, so you can face:

• Up to 364 days in jail
• Up to a $5,000 fine

Some common defenses here are:

• You didn’t intend to permanently take the stuff – maybe you planned on returning it
• You have a good reason why you took the stuff – like you were starving and stole some food

Felony Theft

If you steal stuff worth more than $750, it becomes a felony theft charge. There’s two levels of felony theft:

Theft in the Second Degree

This is for stealing stuff worth between $750 – $5,000. It also includes stealing financial cards like credit cards. Theft in the second degree is a Class C felony[2]. You can get:

• Up to 5 years in prison
• Up to a $10,000 fine

Theft in the First Degree

This is the most serious theft charge. It’s for stealing:

• Stuff worth more than $5,000
• A firearm, no matter the value
• A motor vehicle, no matter the value
• Stuff directly off someone’s body, no matter the value

Theft in the first degree is a Class B felony[4]. You can get:

• Up to 10 years in prison
• Up to a $20,000 fine

Yikes! As you can see, the penalties get pretty harsh if you steal valuable stuff.

Defenses Against Theft Charges

Let’s say you get arrested for shoplifting or stealing something. Getting charged with theft can really mess up your life, so it’s important to talk to a defense lawyer right away. A good lawyer can help get your charges reduced or even dismissed.

Here’s some of the main defenses they may use:

• You had permission to borrow the item and intended to return it
• Someone else used your name or framed you for the theft
• You have a mental health issue that impacted your actions
• You were forced or threatened to commit the theft
• The police violated your rights during the investigation

A solid defense attorney will dig into the details of your case to figure out the best defense strategy. Don’t just plead guilty without talking to a lawyer first.

What About Robbery?

Robbery is when you steal stuff and use force or threats to do it. Like if you have a weapon and demand money from a cashier – that’s robbery. Robbery is basically a combination of theft/larceny plus assault and/or battery
1
. It’s charged as a much more serious felony than regular theft.

The Bottom Line

Being charged with theft, larceny, or robbery is really serious stuff. Make sure you talk to an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away if it happens to you. A good attorney can help get your charges reduced or dismissed and save you from harsh penalties.

Hopefully this gives you a better idea of what’s considered larceny here in Seattle. Stay out of trouble, but if you do get in a jam, you know who to call!