Opinion ID: 2631627
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Application of the unit of prosecution to the facts of this case

Text: ¶ 29 Once the statutory unit of prosecution is determined, an analysis is necessary to decide whether, under the facts of the case, more than one unit of prosecution is present. Tvedt, 153 Wash.2d at 717, 107 P.3d 728 (citing State v. Bobic, 140 Wash.2d 250, 266, 996 P.2d 610 (2000)). Multiple convictions will not violate double jeopardy only when the accused's conduct supports multiple units of prosecution being charged. Id. ¶ 30 Applying what the legislature intended as the proper unit of prosecution to the facts of this case shows that Leyda was wrongly charged with and convicted of four counts of identity theft. Under RCW 9.35.020(1), Leyda committed the crime of identity theft the moment he obtained a means of financial information (i.e., the Bon Marché credit card) of Cynthia Austin with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, the crime of theft. He did not violate the statute each of the four times the stolen card was subsequently presented to make a purchase. Under former RCW 9.35.020(2), the prosecutor was required to determine whether Leyda used the stolen means of financial information and to determine the aggregate total of value obtained by use of that information. In this case, Leyda used the card and the aggregate total of goods obtained by the use was less than $1,500. Under RCW 9.35.020(2)(b), Leyda's single course of illegal conduct amounted to one count of second degree identity theft. He should have been charged and convicted accordingly.