If two misdemeanors of shoplifting occurr within one year, and the first offense is dismissed by the Court with community service, but then then the second offense occurrs (another misdemeanor), can it turn into a felony punishment? There was never an arrest for both offenses. Could it turn into jail time, a heavy fine, and/or probation? This is state of Washington. Defendant has been diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder.
2007-12-18 04:46:07 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
That depends on the jurisdiction.
In some places, like the state of Washington, some kinds of misdemeanors become a felony upon the third conviction.
Oh, I see you're IN the state of Washington. So, then I'll have to say that no, unless the RCWs have changed since I last read them, or unless some subdivisional jurisdiction has made it a two-strike rule, that it is only upon the conviction of the THIRD of the same kind of misdemeanor that it becomes a felony.
It has notthing to do with arrests, only convictions.
BTW, Bipolar Disorder is NOT a very good defense for something like shoplifting.
Even as a misdemeanor, however, it could easily turn into jail time and heavy fines.
2007-12-18 05:02:46 · answer #1 · answered by Robert G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've been through this and much much more and from experience and from working I can tell you that you are not going to go to jail. You're not even going to go to real court if its your first time. They call it court but its not. It takes a little more effort to get in trouble and at least a felony or a few higher misdeamenors to actually see a judge. What happens here where I live is your first couple times you get charged if its something like shoplifting and not a straight out crazy charge they send you to a class and they go over your charges and if you didn't steal more than like $300 worth of stuff you get a fine. If you did then the next step is they will send you to a commissioner whos like a judge but is not. Judges are usually for the youths who got the heavier charges or been to juvy. I highly doubt that you'll get probation. I mean I've been on probation and I know others who been on it and it takes a little more than one shoplifting charge to get on probation. Community service might happen only if you see that commisioner anything below a commisioner is a fine. People on yahoo will sit here and tell you that you'll go to prison for something like that cause they're just crazy I've had people tell me that but I'm telling you from experience and working now with other youths.
2016-05-24 21:58:27 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Multiple misdemeanors do not turn into felonies.
One thing to remember, however, is conviction of a misdemeanor can mean up to one year in jail.
Multiple convictions could mean multiple jail terms served either consecutively or concurrently.
Shoplifting is always so sad because it drives the cost of the merchandise up....for the consumer!
2007-12-18 05:14:27 · answer #3 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it is not going to escalate. The defendant may get the max punishment for thecrime, but not more than the law allows.
Bi-polar made me do it won't fly in court.
2007-12-18 05:24:50 · answer #4 · answered by Kevy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, this will not become a felony.
I would save the bi-polar excuse. Unless it effects your ability to differ between right and wrong, it is just that, an excuse.
2007-12-18 04:56:53 · answer #5 · answered by trooper3316 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋