Giving Somebody Else a Stolen Credit Card to Use

[Olympic7]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington

I was involved in a situation in which someone used a stolen debit card to make a purchase one night, then gave me the card the next day and I asked someone else if they would use the card to buy cigarettes and they said yes, I accompanied them to buy them but I waited outside because I knew there was probably a camera. Am I guilty of anything considering I didn't "steal" the card nor did I make any purchases with it. It was in my possession for all of about an hour.


I must also note that I didn't force him in anyway to make the purchase, he did so under his own free will

[Security Consultant]

I take it you knew the card was stolen and you gave it to someone else to use to buy cigarettes for you....and you stayed outside the store so you wouldn't show up on camera? Yes you are guilty, but not of "association." You are guilty of theft.

[Olympic7]

Well Im actually not sure if the card was stolen or found, but I'm still guilty of theft just for possessing it? The cops are charging the people that originally used it because they spent money with it. I'm wondering how can I be guilty of theft when I didn't use the card.

[free9man]

Well Im actually not sure if the card was stolen or found, but I'm still guilty of theft just for possessing it? The cops are charging the people that originally used it because they spent money with it. I'm wondering how can I be guilty of theft when I didn't use the card.

Regardless of whether it was stolen or "found," you had no right to use the card which makes any use illegal. You asked another party, to protect your own butt, to use the card so that's all it takes. Your use of a third party shows clear consciousness of guilt and intent.

[PTPD22]

You are not guilty "by association," you are a full blown accomplice. You knowingly took an active part in committing a crime...a crime that you solicited another to participate in. There are actually several statutes that you can be charged with under Washington law. Forgery, identity theft in the 1st degree, criminal conspiracy, and possession of stolen property in the second degree are the ones that pop immediately to mind...four felony charges (yes, with your actions, you can be charged with all four) just for some cigarettes. If there was a statute for felony stupid, you would be guilty of that too.