I have recently had a client charged with Theft of Rental Property in Washington State:

http://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.56.096

My client did business with a popular rental furniture retail outlet. He rented some furniture for his new home and then fell into financial troubles. My client had a financial opportunity in Eastern Washington to work at a temporary job.

After he moved to Eastern Washington he was unable to pay his bill to the furniture rental store. The rental furniture store was unable to collect their furniture because my client was in Eastern Washington.  The store contacted police and my client was charged with:

RCW 9A.56.096 Theft of rental, leased, lease-purchased, or loaned property.

This is a crime. He was charged with a crime for not returning furniture to this furniture store.  He retained me as a Theft of rental property Attorney.  It seems incredible to me that this is a criminal charge of Theft of rental Property.  I could understand if his credit report was effected. But this is a criminal charge, when my client rented this furniture I don't think he ever imagined that he could be put in jail if the furniture was not returned on time.

My client did return the furniture. After it was returned the employees at the furniture store refused to sign a form to have the charges dropped.  He needed a lawyer for a theft of rental property charge. I am happy to give this client great service and I hope to have the charges dropped soon.

This should be a warning to anyone doing business with a rental furniture store, if they want to charge you with theft of rental property you may be charged with a crime.