Organized retail theft has become a serious issue throughout the country in recent years. People often find each other and plan these events through social media.
Washington is certainly no exception to this trend. In fact, we have among the highest rates of organized retail crime in the U.S.
Some details of the law
While organized retail theft laws are relatively new in some states, Washington’s has been on the books for some time. The law defines the offense as a “theft of property with a value of at least seven hundred fifty dollars from a mercantile establishment with an accomplice.” It also includes possession of that property.
This includes property totaling at least $750, even if it’s accumulated across multiple thefts in 180 days or less. The law states that a retailer “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.” The thefts don’t have to occur in the same county.
Depending on the total value of the merchandise stolen, a conviction for organized retail theft alone can carry a prison sentence of up to ten years. Other factors may affect penalties – such as if there are “no less than six accomplices” and someone “makes or sends at least one electronic communication seeking participation in the theft in the course of planning or commission of the theft.”
Washington lawmakers are considering increasing the penalties for organized retail theft of extremely large amounts. They have proposed legislation that would allow a person to be sentenced for an additional year if the property has a value of at least $20,000 and two years if its value is $50,000 or more.
Organized theft charges can come with added complications
This law addresses only the thefts themselves. Because organized retail thefts often involve property damage and even injuries and fatalities, other, even more serious charges can result from an incident.
Because these thefts involve at least two people (and often many more) – at times over multiple locations — it’s possible for someone who had little or no involvement in any theft to face serious charges. It’s not uncommon for those with the greatest level of culpability to try to convince authorities that someone else is to blame. That’s why it’s crucial that anyone facing such charges gets their own individual legal representation to protect their rights and present their case.