RCW 4.24.230
Liability for conversion of goods or merchandise from store or mercantile establishment, leaving restaurant or hotel or motel without paying—Adults, minors—Parents, guardians—Notice.
(1) An adult or emancipated minor who takes possession of any goods, wares, or merchandise displayed or offered for sale by any wholesale or retail store or other mercantile establishment without the consent of the owner or seller, and with the intention of converting such goods, wares, or merchandise to his or her own use without having paid the purchase price thereof is liable in addition to actual damages, for a penalty to the owner or seller in the amount of the retail value thereof not to exceed two thousand eight hundred fifty dollars, plus an additional penalty of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than six hundred fifty dollars, plus all reasonable attorney's fees and court costs expended by the owner or seller. A customer who orders a meal in a restaurant or other eating establishment, receives at least a portion thereof, and then leaves without paying, is subject to liability under this section. A person who shall receive any food, money, credit, lodging, or accommodation at any hotel, motel, boarding house, or lodging house, and then leaves without paying the proprietor, manager, or authorized employee thereof, is subject to liability under this section.
(2) The parent or legal guardian having the custody of an unemancipated minor who takes possession of any goods, wares, or merchandise displayed or offered for sale by any wholesale or retail store or other mercantile establishment without the consent of the owner or seller and with the intention of converting such goods, wares, or merchandise to his or her own use without having paid the purchase price thereof, is liable as a penalty to the owner or seller for the retail value of such goods, wares, or merchandise not to exceed one thousand four hundred twenty-five dollars plus an additional penalty of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than six hundred fifty dollars, plus all reasonable attorney's fees and court costs expended by the owner or seller. The parent or legal guardian having the custody of an unemancipated minor, who orders a meal in a restaurant or other eating establishment, receives at least a portion thereof, and then leaves without paying, is subject to liability under this section. The parent or legal guardian having the custody of an unemancipated minor, who receives any food, money, credit, lodging, or accommodation at any hotel, motel, boarding house, or lodging house, and then leaves without paying the proprietor, manager, or authorized employee thereof, is subject to liability under this section. For the purposes of this subsection, liability shall not be imposed upon any governmental entity, private agency, or foster parent assigned responsibility for the minor child pursuant to court order or action of the department of social and health services.
(3) Judgments and claims arising under this section may be assigned.
(4) A conviction for violation of chapter 9A.56 RCW shall not be a condition precedent to maintenance of a civil action authorized by this section.
(5) An owner or seller demanding payment of a penalty under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall give written notice to the person or persons from whom the penalty is sought. The notice shall state:
"IMPORTANT NOTICE: The payment of any penalty demanded of you does not prevent criminal prosecution under a related criminal provision."
This notice shall be boldly and conspicuously displayed, in at least the same size type as is used in the demand, and shall be sent with the demand for payment of a penalty described in subsection (1) or (2) of this section.
[ 2009 c 431 § 3; 1994 c 9 § 1; 1987 c 353 § 1; 1981 c 126 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 134 § 1; 1975 1st ex.s. c 59 § 1.]
NOTES:
Applicability—2009 c 431: "This act applies to crimes committed on or after September 1, 2009." [ 2009 c 431 § 20.]
Obtaining food from restaurant without paying: RCW 19.48.110.
Property crime database, liability: RCW 4.24.340.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 4.24 - Special Rights of Action and Special Immunities.
4.24.005 - Tort actions—Attorneys' fees—Determination of reasonableness.
4.24.010 - Action for injury or death of child.
4.24.020 - Action by parent for seduction of child.
4.24.040 - Action for negligently permitting fire to spread.
4.24.050 - Kindling of fires by persons driving lumber.
4.24.060 - Application of common law.
4.24.070 - Recovery of money lost at gambling.
4.24.080 - Action to recover leased premises used for gambling.
4.24.090 - Validity of evidence of gambling debt.
4.24.130 - Action for change of name—Fees.
4.24.140 - Action by another state to enforce tax liability.
4.24.141 - Action by another state to enforce tax liability—"Taxes" defined.
4.24.150 - Action for fines or forfeitures.
4.24.160 - Action for penalty—Amount of recovery.
4.24.170 - Judgment for penalty or forfeiture—Effect of collusion.
4.24.180 - Disposition of fines, fees, penalties and forfeitures—Venue.
4.24.235 - Physicians—Immunity from liability regarding safety belts.
4.24.250 - Health care provider filing charges or presenting evidence—Immunity—Information sharing.
4.24.260 - Health professionals making reports, filing charges, or presenting evidence—Immunity.
4.24.264 - Boards of directors or officers of nonprofit corporations—Liability—Limitations.
4.24.300 - Immunity from liability for certain types of medical care.
4.24.310 - Persons rendering emergency care or transportation—Definitions.
4.24.311 - Immunity from liability for certain care or assistance at scene of emergency or disaster.
4.24.330 - Action for damages caused by criminal street gang tagging and graffiti.
4.24.345 - Unlawfully summoning a law enforcement officer—Civil action.
4.24.410 - Dog handler using dog in line of duty—Immunity.
4.24.450 - Liability of operators for nuclear incidents—Definitions.
4.24.470 - Liability of officials and members of governing body of public agency—Definitions.
4.24.490 - Indemnification of state employees.
4.24.500 - Good faith communication to government agency—Legislative findings—Purpose.
4.24.530 - Limitations on liability for equine activities—Definitions.
4.24.540 - Limitations on liability for equine activities—Exceptions.
4.24.545 - Electronic monitoring or 24/7 sobriety program participation—Limitation on liability.
4.24.550 - Sex offenders and kidnapping offenders—Release of information to public—Website.
4.24.5501 - Sex offenders—Model policy—Work group.
4.24.551 - Law enforcement response to secure community transition facility—Limitation on liability.
4.24.555 - Release of information not restricted by pending appeal, petition, or writ.
4.24.560 - Defense to action for injury caused by indoor air pollutants.
4.24.570 - Acts against animals in research or educational facilities.
4.24.575 - Acts against animals kept for agricultural or veterinary purposes.
4.24.580 - Acts against animal facilities—Injunction.
4.24.590 - Liability of foster parents.
4.24.601 - Hazards to the public—Information—Legislative findings, policy, intent.
4.24.630 - Liability for damage to land and property—Damages—Costs—Attorneys' fees—Exceptions.
4.24.640 - Firearm safety program liability.
4.24.660 - Liability of school districts under contracts with youth programs.
4.24.670 - Liability of volunteers of nonprofit or governmental entities.
4.24.680 - Unlawful release of court and law enforcement employee information—Exception.
4.24.710 - Outdoor music festival, campground—Detention.
4.24.720 - Liability immunity—Amber alerts.
4.24.730 - Liability immunity—Disclosure of employee information to prospective employer.
4.24.740 - Liability immunity—Bovine handling activities.
4.24.790 - Electronic impersonation—Action for invasion of privacy.
4.24.800 - Liability immunity—Charitable donation of eyeglasses or hearing instruments.
4.24.820 - Nonrecognition of foreign order—Incompatibility with public policy.
4.24.830 - Agritourism—Definitions.
4.24.832 - Agritourism—Immunity.
4.24.835 - Agritourism—Warning notice.
4.24.850 - Action by victim of false reporting—Liability to a public agency.
4.24.900 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.