Washington Malicious Mischief Lawyer
Have you been charged with Malicious Mischief? Your record could be in jeopardy!
In Washington, being charged with malicious mischief can mean paying heavy fines, possible jail time, and destruction of your record. Let Weber Law help you today!
Washington Malicious Mischief Charges and Penalties
What is Malicious Mischief?
A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the first degree if he or she knowingly: (1) causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding $5,000.00; (2) causes an interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public by physically damaging or tampering with an emergency vehicle, property of the state, or public utility; (3) causes damage to the safety, efficiency, or operation of an aircraft by physically damaging or tampering with the aircraft or aircraft equipment; or (4) causes an interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public by physically damaging, destroying, removing, or tampering with an official ballot deposit box, ballot drop box, or the contents of the ballot box.
A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the second degree if he or she knowingly: (1) causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount not exceeding $750.00; (2) creates a substantial risk of interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public, by physically damaging or tampering with an emergency vehicle; or (3) created a substantial risk of interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public by physically damaging, destroying, removing, or tampering with an official ballot deposit box, ballot drop box, or the contents of the ballot box.
A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the third degree if he or she: (1) knowingly and maliciously causes physical damage to the property of another, under circumstances not amounting to malicious mischief in the first or second degree; or (2) writes, paints, or draws any inscription, figure, or mark of any type on any public or private building, or other structure or any real or personal property owned by any other person without permission.
Examples of malicious mischief include but are not limited to:
• Defacing public or private property;
• Putting sugar in the gas tank of a police officer’s car;
• Throwing rocks or objects at cars;
• Throwing rocks or objects at a train;
• Putting something on train tracks that could cause a crash; or
• Putting something in the middle of the interstate that could cause a crash.
What is the Punishment?
Malicious mischief in the first degree is a class B felony.
Malicious mischief in the second degree is a class C felony.
Malicious mischief in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor.
A class B felony is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $20,000.00, or both.
A class C felony is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $10,000.00, or both.
A gross misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for up to 364 days, or a fine of up to $5,000.00, or both.
Even as a Defendant of a Crime, you still have Rights! Make sure yours were not violated!
Even as an individual facing criminal charges, you have rights. It is important to know those rights and make sure that they were not violated in any way when you were arrested or charged. Without extensive knowledge of your rights when it comes to police searches, Miranda rights, and your rights when it comes to arrest, it is extremely difficult to get a dismissal or reduction of your charges. Do not try and fight these charges on your own, Weber Law is ready to help you today.
Contact Weber Law immediately if you’ve been arrested on a malicious mischief charge. We offer a free confidential case evaluation – serving Seattle and the surrounding areas.
"He did everything he could to solve my case. There was no moment where I felt like I was alone. He went to his full extent to help me lower my charges. Great lawyer.”
What should I do if I have been accused of Malicious Mischief?
If you have been accused of malicious mischief, let Weber Law help you today. It can be a stressful situation to have criminal charges pending. Weber Law will work for you. Let Weber Law work to have your citation dismissed or dropped to a lower offense. If that is not possible, we will negotiate the best deal for you, which could include a shorter jail time, no jail time, or a lesser fine.
There are potential defenses against a charge of malicious mischief. Weber Law will look at every aspect of your case, including surveillance footage (if available), eyewitness testimonies, and even your prior criminal record. Let Weber Law build the best defense for you! A charge of malicious mischief on your record could potentially hurt future job offers and ruin your record. Weber Law is experienced in defending these charges and getting you back to a life free of criminal charges. It is never a good idea to face these charges without an attorney. The court room can be intimidating. You need someone with experience to fight for you. Any blemish on your record can have detrimental impacts on the rest of your life. Let Weber Law’s experienced attorneys fight for you in court. If you or someone you know has been accused of malicious mischief, no matter the degree, contact Weber Law today for a consultation.
WA ST § 9A.48.070, Malicious Mischief in the First Degree
WA ST § 9A.48.080, Malicious Mischief in the Second Degree
WA ST § 9A.48.090, Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree
WA ST § 9A.20.021, Maximum sentences for crimes committed July 1, 1984, and after
A Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Weber Law will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
We believe that justice is an idea that can triumph only when living people make it so. We are dedicated to justice. We wish to run a business that is at once profitable while allowing us to promote the rights of our fellow community members. We will stand for the poor when they are in need and their cause is just. We will work for any responsible business. We will represent all races, creeds, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
Office Address:
810 3rd Avenue Suite 120, Seattle, WA 98104