Washington criminal charge
Organized retail theft in Washington
Organized retail theft is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9A.56.350. Its classification is not fixed: Washington assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by RCW 9A.56.350.
What is the penalty for organized retail theft in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Organized retail theft in the first degree — Applies when the property stolen or possessed has a value of five thousand dollars or more.; statutory maximum (RCW 9A.20.021(1)(b)); the sentence actually imposed is set by the Sentencing Reform Act standard range (RCW 9.94A.510) from the offense's seriousness level and the defendant's offender score) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $20,000 (Organized retail theft in the first degree — Applies when the property stolen or possessed has a value of five thousand dollars or more.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5)); unless a different maximum is specifically established by statute) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Organized retail theft in the second degree — Applies when the property stolen or possessed has a value of at least seven hundred fifty dollars but less than five thousand dollars.; statutory maximum (RCW 9A.20.021(1)(c)); the sentence actually imposed is set by the Sentencing Reform Act standard range (RCW 9.94A.510) from the offense's seriousness level and the defendant's offender score) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Organized retail theft in the second degree — Applies when the property stolen or possessed has a value of at least seven hundred fifty dollars but less than five thousand dollars.; statutory maximum, adult offenders (RCW 9A.20.021(5)); unless a different maximum is specifically established by statute) | discretionary | RCW 9A.20.021 |
Applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984.
How is organized retail theft classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organized retail theft in the first degree | Class B Felony | Applies when the property stolen or possessed has a value of five thousand dollars or more. | RCW 9A.56.350(2) |
| Organized retail theft in the second degree | Class C Felony | Applies when the property stolen or possessed has a value of at least seven hundred fifty dollars but less than five thousand dollars. | RCW 9A.56.350(3) |
Common questions about organized retail theft in Washington
Is organized retail theft a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
What are the penalties for organized retail theft in Washington?
Penalties for organized retail theft in Washington depend on how it is classified — from a Class C Felony up to a Class B Felony — with the ranges set by RCW 9A.20.021; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Washington statute covers organized retail theft?
Organized retail theft is governed by RCW 9A.56.350 (Organized retail theft).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.