Consequences of Shoplifting in Washington State

[snooklion_187]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington


So on saturday, Jan 11th 2014 I went in to work as usual at the walmart deli... Well I hadn't eaten yet so I grabbed some food. But I did not know tht they put in a camera. I was eating little by little throughout the night, but I know for sure it wasnt alot it was like one or two pieces here and there. Well now tht I found out they put a camera in ive been so scared I know they've seen it cause they have to remove it to go and view it. I mean I know that all my food that I ate maybe added up to six, seven dollars max!
So my question is will I get fired for this? And if I do what kind of charges am I facing.. will this go on my record? Would it be better if I just quit before they fire me? And are they able to go thru all the videos since ive started to find more evidence? And how will I know if they have already started investing this? Also how long do they have to fire me?

THAKNS VERY MUCH!

[Disagreeable]

Each act could potentially be charged as a separate act of theft. Punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5000 fine. I'd say it was time to quit and move out of state.

RCW 9A.56.050
Theft in the third degree.


(1) A person is guilty of theft in the third degree if he or she commits theft of property or services which (a) does not exceed seven hundred fifty dollars in value, or (b) includes ten or more merchandise pallets, or ten or more beverage crates, or a combination of ten or more merchandise pallets and beverage crates.

(2) Theft in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor.

[PandorasBox]

Quit before they fire you. But be aware they can charge you still.

Next: GROW UP! Eat before you arrive at a job; stop stealing food. Also, are you aware that there are Food Safety guidelines enforced by the Health Department and you could have gotten your employer slapped with a huge fine for eating in an area where food is not to be consumed?

[cbg]

So my question is will I get fired for this? You CAN be fired for this. Whether you WILL be fired for this is unknown.

And if I do what kind of charges am I facing.. will this go on my record? Firing you and filing charges against you do not go hand in hand. Your employment record, such as it is, will include the firing, if there is one. (Note: There is no single "employment record" data base where every job you've ever held is recorded, other than the Social Security Administration. However, firings do not "fall off" at any given time like credit blips. It will always be true that you were fired from this position). Whether it will go on your criminal record or not will depend on whether charges are filed, what charges are filed, if you are found guilty and what you are sentenced to.

Would it be better if I just quit before they fire me? Not if you want unemployment.

And are they able to go thru all the videos since ive started to find more evidence? Yes, if they want to

And how will I know if they have already started investing this? You won't.

Also how long do they have to fire me? As long as they want. There are no regulations or laws that say if you haven't been fired within x days you can no longer be fired.

[PandorasBox]

And if you are fired for theft from the company, you likely won't qualify for Unemployment.

Next: If you quit - well, how do you plan on explaining this during job interviews? Or explain a gap in your work history (yep, job aps want every gap explained).

If you continue to work there, I would say keep your nose squeaky clean. And again, eat before you go to work.

[free9man]

Next: If you quit - well, how do you plan on explaining this during job interviews? Or explain a gap in your work history (yep, job aps want every gap explained).

I used to do LP for one of the big retailers. There was a major office supply chain store in a nearby complex. A good number of employees I had arrested for stealing would be working at the other store within a few weeks.

[PandorasBox]

Those office places must have not done a background check. Odd since even with my experience, I can't get into Staples or Office Max. Maybe they got the jobs before their case was closed?

I hope OP realizes it is hard for many to get a job at Wal-Mart. I have three friends who work at various locations, they said it is a bitch to get hired there. OP really messed up.....

[nadsab]

You should quit. Better that than to get fired or worry about it for months. And stop stealing.

[cbg]

I do not agree with the above, unless the employee really doesn't care about unemployment. If he quits now, there is no possiblity that he will be approved. "I quit before they could fire me" is not a valid reason to collect UI in any state. However, at this point he does not even know if they've noticed what he did, let alone whether or not they consider it a firing offense. If they do, there's no guarantee he'll get unemployment but he might. If he quits, he will not. And if he has to worry about it for a little while - well, maybe that will remind him not to steal again.

[bam!]

Walmart has a ton of cameras. Why do you think they only noticed on that one? How do you know they just put it in?

Lots of places have rules on consumable theft.

I know the bullseye generally does not talk to employees for theft of groceries, deli, soda fountain or Starbucks unless it is a large amount due to consumable loss not really affecting the overall company.