Malicious Mischief in Washington means knowingly and maliciously causing damage to the property of another. Criminal charges for malicious mischief can arise when an individual, in a moment of anger (or sometimes even accidentally) causes damage to someone else’s property. The following are some unfortunate examples of when the government might file malicious mischief charges: (1) a window gets broken because someone slams a door during an argument, or (2) something gets knocked over and broken while a person is attempting to back away from a potentially volatile confrontation. Damaging another’s property at your home or that of a family member can result in malicious mischief charges being filed with a domestic violence enhancer in Washington State.
The degree of a malicious mischief charge is based on the value of the property allegedly destroyed:
- Damage under $50 is a misdemeanor – malicious mischief in the 3rd degree;
- Damage $50 to $250 is a gross misdemeanor – malicious mischief in the 3rd degree;
- Damage $250 to $1,500 is a Class C felony – malicious mischief in the 2nd degree; and
- Damage over $1500 is a Class B felony – malicious mischief in the 1st degree.
The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys, located in Western Washington, is a very skilled and experienced team dedicated to providing effective, aggressive representation for those charged with assault, harassment and/or Malicious Mischief in Western Washington. The team creates success by not only working with alleged victims to develop a relationship and encourage positive communication, but the team also works with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating an equitable and fair resolution.
If you or a loved one is charged with a assault, harassment and/or Malicious Mischief in King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, Kitsap County, Thurston County or one of the following cities or towns: Bellevue, Black Diamond, Bonney Lake, Bothell, Burien, Des Moines, Duvall, Edmonds, Enumclaw, Everett, Federal Way, fife, Hunts Point, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Lynnwood, Maple Valley, Marysville, Medina, Mercer Island, Milton, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, New Castle, Normandy Park, North Bend, Olympia, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Sea Tac, Seattle, Shoreline, Snohomish, Sumner, Tacoma, Tukwila, University Place, and/or Woodinville, or any other city or town in Western Washington, call The Seattle criminal attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900.