In Re the Personal Restraint of Taylor

Petitioner's personal restraint petition raises an equal protection issue. Petitioner was charged with and pleaded guilty to first degree theft. The charge arose from petitioner's receipt of unemployment benefits while in fact employed.

Petitioner's conduct was a violation of RCW 50.36.010 which involves knowingly giving false information or withholding material information as required by the Employment Security Act, RCW Title 50. 1 That same conduct was a violation of RCW 9A.56.030, the first degree theft statute. Violation of RCW 50.36.010 is a misdemeanor; violation of RCW 9A.56.030 is a…