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In Washington, it is illegal for any person to take another’s property without the owner’s consent. A theft conviction can result in hefty fines, prison time, and other requirements, such as community service. However, criminal penalties are not the only consequences a defendant could face. In addition to criminal theft charges, the victim may…

Theft is a crime in Washington, regardless of the value of the goods or the type of merchandise involved. Many people believe that shoplifting, or the act of stealing goods from a store while pretending to shop, is a less serious crime than other forms of theft, but that is not always the case….

Many states, including Washington, have enacted three strikes laws for specific criminal offenses. Although the exact laws vary from state to state, they often follow the same general guidelines. If a person receives three convictions for certain crimes, the court will assign harsher penalties than it would if it was a first or second…

In Washington, minors who commit crimes undergo a separate criminal process than adult offenders. The Washington Juvenile Court System oversees sentencing for juvenile offenders, focusing on treatment and rehabilitation instead of punishment. Criminal penalties for minors differ from penalties for adults. Types of Juvenile Penalties in Washington RCW 13.40.0357 establishes sentencing guidelines for juvenile…

Criminal penalties for many crimes, such as drug possession, sexual assault, and robbery, can differ based on the circumstances surrounding the crime. The presence of aggravating factors can increase the severity of the consequences you may face, while mitigating factors may allow you to seek a lighter penalty. If these factors are present in…

When you are facing criminal charges, it is easy to focus on the penalty of jail time. However, a prison sentence is only one way that a criminal conviction can impact your life—and the consequences of a criminal record do not go away once your sentence ends. There are many ways that a criminal…