Theft Defense Attorney in Tri-Cities

Aggresive defense in the tri-cities

Protect your future with aggressive, local theft defense attorney in the Tri-Cities. We challenge the evidence, navigate the local courts, and fight to keep your record clean.

Any kind of theft charge in Washington, even at the misdemeanor level, carries heavy penalties that reach beyond fines and court dates. A theft conviction creates a permanent criminal record visible to employers, landlords, and licensing boards. It doesn’t go away on its own.

There is a right move if you’ve been charged with theft. Get a good theft defense attorney involved in the case as early as possible, who understands the local judges and courts, and builds a strong defense around the facts of your case. This is where Gideon’s Associates comes in.

What Does Washington Say About Theft?​

Theft in Washington is governed under RCW 9A.56 and is divided into degrees based on the value of the property involved:

01

Third-degree theft

Under RCW 9A.56.050, property valued under $750 is charged as a gross misdemeanor, carrying up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

02

Second-degree theft

Under RCW 9A.56.040, property valued between $750 and $5,000 is charged as a Class C felony.

03

First-degree theft

Under RCW 9A.56.030, property valued over $5,000 is charged as a Class B felony.

At Gideon’s Associates, we go through everything: the police report, the evidence, and the details of what happened. We find where the prosecution’s case is weak, and we build your defense around that. Our goal is always your success.

Theft Defense Attorney in Tri-Cities

What Happens If You Don't Have an Attorney

Going through a theft charge without a theft defense attorney puts you at a serious disadvantage. The prosecutor on the other side of your case does this every day. They know the statutes, they know the process, and they know how to secure a conviction when the defense isn’t prepared. That’s why having a criminal defense attorney who knows the same courts, the same prosecutors, and the same playbook is the only way to level that field.

Without a theft defense attorney, most people don’t know what evidence can be challenged, what procedural mistakes law enforcement may have made, or what the prosecution actually has to prove. That gap shows up in outcomes—guilty pleas that didn’t need to happen, convictions that could have been dismissed, and sentences that could have been reduced.

A conviction means a permanent record. The court will not slow down for you to figure it out. Hearings are scheduled, deadlines pass, and opportunities to challenge the case close quickly. By the time most people realize they need help, some of those options are already off the table.

Gideon’s Associates exists for exactly this situation. We get involved early, we handle the process, and we make sure you’re not handling the court system alone. Theft charges also frequently come alongside drug-related allegations, and our drug possession lawyer experience means we can handle both sides of a case without you needing to look elsewhere.

Theft Cases We Handle

Our firm defends and represents clients across a wide range of property and theft offenses. Below are some of the primary cases we specialize in, with new practice areas updated regularly to reflect our growing services.

Women shoplifting
Auto Theft
Looking at a document thinking in hiring a fraud attorney
credit card fraud
a man stealing in the store (petty theft example)
Petty Theft Defense
A man stealing a car in the city
Auto Theft
identity theft representation
Identity Theft Defense

Answering Commonly Asked Questions

Where are misdemeanor theft cases heard in the Tri-Cities?

Misdemeanor theft cases in this area are heard at Benton County District Court at 7122 W. Okanogan Place in Kennewick, or at the Franklin County courthouse on N 4th Street in Pasco. Felony charges move to the Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court in the same Justice Center complex on W. Okanogan Place.

We work in these courts regularly. We know how local prosecutors approach theft cases. That familiarity is something we put directly to work for you.

Yes—but not in the way you might think. Even when evidence looks strong, how it was collected and whether proper legal procedures were followed can change the picture significantly. That’s what we look into first. Evidence can be challenged, suppressed, or reframed depending on how it was gathered and what the prosecution can actually prove. The same principle applies across our practice — whether you’re here for theft or were referred by a violent crime attorney handling a related charge, we build every defense around what the facts actually support.

Yes. We serve clients throughout the Tri-Cities, including Richland, Pasco, West Richland, and surrounding communities in Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla Counties.

What Our CLient's Say

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Andrew Aguilar profile picture
Andrew Aguilar
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Charlie Dow is the greatest of all time. Helped me with my case and took my income into consideration, he dives deep into the case and blesses you with the best outcome. Highly recommend Mr.Dow he truly is the best of tri cities
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Joshua Gosney profile picture
Joshua Gosney
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Would highly recommend using Charlie for whatever your needs are! He’s super proficient and timely on everything I needed done. He’s helping me vacate century old cases and couldn’t be more pleased on how he handled my case!
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Raman Dhaliwal profile picture
Raman Dhaliwal
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I am extremely grateful for the outstanding work your team did in getting my reckless driving case dismissed. The communication was excellent, responses were always quick, and the entire process was handled professionally. Thank you for going above and beyond. I highly recommend your team to anyone looking for knowledgeable, reliable, and dedicated legal representation.
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Karen Rubi profile picture
Karen Rubi
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They are amazing highly recommend them they were able to help with a case that no one else wanted to take. If you are looking for an attorney that truly cares hire them
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Andres leal
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Best lawyer in tri cities! 100% recommend him!
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Kristina Tucker profile picture
Kristina Tucker
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I recently reached out to Mr. Charlie Dow in regards to a legal situation a member of my family was going through. I live in a different state but the charges were in Washington. Throughout the entire process they kept me up to date, attended multiple phone conferences and worked effectively to help us get this resolved in a very timely manner. I couldn’t recommend this law group enough. They were kind, explained everything to me perfectly and the end result was better than I was anticipating. I am extremely grateful for all of their help.
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Tommy Jones profile picture
Tommy Jones
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I got to take my hat off to Gideon's associates. They really came through for me on my behalf. Stacy is remarkable, keeping me up to date on all court hearings etc. I highly recommend them
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Elina Manukyan profile picture
Elina Manukyan
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There aren’t enough words to express how grateful we are to Attorney Charlie Dowe. He is not only extremely professional and knowledgeable, but also genuinely kind and supportive. He helped my uncle, an immigrant, resolve a serious ticket that could have impacted his future. He is truly the best at what he does and his staff is great as well. Thank you so much!
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Brian Beauchamp profile picture
Brian Beauchamp
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Case closed and can finally move on with my life thanks to the team at Gideon. Both Charlie and Stacie were great to work with and provided excellent service throughout this roller-coaster ride. Thank you!
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Willetta B profile picture
Willetta B
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Our family greatly appreciate Gideon and Associates for helping us🙏🏾 we are on a fixed income, with no expertise in law, Gideon and Associates took are case with little to no money filed our paperwork for 1 dollar Amen 🙌 which took no time at all, very simple process. Now our cases were closed thanks to Gideon and Associates 🤩 which helped us tremendously, we now have access to better housing options, better paying jobs thank God for Gideon and Associates 🤗😋 If you are needing help call Gideon and Associates they do an outstanding job for people who are on a fixed income. Thank you guys once again. May God continue to bless you. 🙌

Contact A Theft Defense Attorney Today

You don’t have to figure this out alone, and you don’t have to break the bank to get proper representation. Gideon’s Associates has spent nearly a decade defending the people of Eastern Washington, and we built this firm around one belief: excellent legal representation should be within reach for anyone who needs it.

We charge flat rates, offer payment plans, sliding scale fees, and reduced-fee options for those who qualify. And we work directly with every client, so you’ll always know where your case stands, what we’re doing, and why.

Our office is on 501 N Quay St in Kennewick, a short drive from the Benton County Justice Center on W. Okanogan Place. We work in these courts every day. We know the prosecutors, we know the process, and we know how to build a defense that gives you a real shot at the best outcome available.

If you’ve been charged with theft in the Tri-Cities, call us today. The sooner we’re involved, the more we can do.