Washington criminal charge
Theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree in Washington
Theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 9A.56.400. 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.56.400.
What is the penalty for theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree in Washington?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree — Applies when a person commits theft of property or services exceeding $5,000 in value, other than a firearm, from a vulnerable adult, and knew or should have known the victim was a vulnerable adult.; 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 (Theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree — Applies when a person commits theft of property or services exceeding $5,000 in value, other than a firearm, from a vulnerable adult, and knew or should have known the victim was a vulnerable adult.; 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 (Theft from a vulnerable adult in the second degree — Applies when a person commits theft of property or services exceeding $750 but not exceeding $5,000 in value, other than a firearm or motor vehicle, from a vulnerable adult, and knew or should have known the victim was a vulnerable adult.; 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 (Theft from a vulnerable adult in the second degree — Applies when a person commits theft of property or services exceeding $750 but not exceeding $5,000 in value, other than a firearm or motor vehicle, from a vulnerable adult, and knew or should have known the victim was a vulnerable adult.; 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 theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree | Class B Felony | Applies when a person commits theft of property or services exceeding $5,000 in value, other than a firearm, from a vulnerable adult, and knew or should have known the victim was a vulnerable adult. | RCW 9A.56.400(1)(b) |
| Theft from a vulnerable adult in the second degree | Class C Felony | Applies when a person commits theft of property or services exceeding $750 but not exceeding $5,000 in value, other than a firearm or motor vehicle, from a vulnerable adult, and knew or should have known the victim was a vulnerable adult. | RCW 9A.56.400(2)(b) |
Common questions about theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree in Washington
Is theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree ranges from a Class C Felony to a Class B Felony in Washington under RCW 9A.56.400.
Theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree: Class B Felony (RCW 9A.56.400(1)(b)) · Theft from a vulnerable adult in the second degree: Class C Felony (RCW 9A.56.400(2)(b))
What are the penalties for theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree in Washington?
Penalties for theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree 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 theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree?
Theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree is governed by RCW 9A.56.400 (Theft from a vulnerable adult in the first degree—Theft from a vulnerable adult in the second degree).
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.