In Washington State, Malicious Mischief is committed when a person “knowingly and maliciously” causes physical damage to property, impairs governmental service, or impairing an aircraft or aircraft parts. There are three degrees of Malicious Mischief.
The lawyers at Ashbach Law Offices, LLC provide aggressive, strong defense for those charged with Malicious Mischief throughout Skagit, Snohomish, King and Whatcom Counties. Our goal is to aggressively protect you, your family and your interests from the prosecution, saving jail time, licenses, occupations and reputations. With offices in Marysville and Mill Creek, Washington, we are available to meet you discuss your case. We help good people in bad situations. Let us help you.
In General
There are three Degrees of Malicious Mischief in Washington State: First Degree Malicious Mischief is a Class B Felony, Second Degree Malicious Mischief is a Class C Felony and Third Degree Malicious Mischief is a gross misdemeanor. Like assault or harassment charges, Malicious Mischief allegations often are assigned a “domestic violence” tag if the alleged victim meets the criteria for “family or household member.”
Each degree requires the person being charged to have acted in a “knowing and malicious manner” in an attempt to achieve some result made illegal by the legislature. In general, the distinction between the degrees is based upon the dollar amount. At one time, Third Degree Malicious Mischief was split into two levels, gross misdemeanor and simple misdemeanor, based on the dollar amount, but that difference was recently eradicated.
The most commonly-charged allegation for malicious mischief is causing physical damage to the property of another. Washington courts have held that “property of another” includes property that is co-owned. This means that if one spouse damages the property that is owned as community property with the other spouse (or under domestic partnership laws), the party causing the damage is still subject to the Malicious Mischief laws. Under this scenario, a Compromise of Misdemeanor would not be available.
First Degree Malicious Mischief
First Degree Malicious Mischief usually involves the allegation that a person knowingly and maliciously caused physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding $5000. However, it may also be charged based upon an allegation of:
a) causing an interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public by physically damaging or tampering with an emergency vehicle or property of the state, a political subdivision thereof or a public utility or mode of public transportation, power or communication, or
b) causing an impairment of the safety, efficiency or operation of an aircraft by physically damaging or tampering with the aircraft or aircraft equipment, fuel, lubricant or parts
Second Degree Malicious Mischief
Second Degree Malicious Mischief usually involves the allegation that a person knowingly and maliciously caused physical damage to the property of another in an amount equal to or greater than $750. However, it may also be charged based upon an allegation of creating a substantial risk of interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public, by physically damaging or tampering with an emergency vehicle or property of the state, a political subdivision thereof or a public utility or mode of public transportation, power or communication.
Third Degree Malicious Mischief
Third Degree Malicious Mischief is simply an allegation of knowingly and maliciously causing physical damage to the property of another, with no monetary implications. Rarely seen is the allegation that the person charged has written, painted or drawn 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 unless the person had obtained the express permission of the owner or operator of the property, under circumstances not amounting to malicious mischief in the first or second degree.
Under RCW 9A.48.070, a person is guilty of First Degree Malicious Mischief (a Class B Felony) if he or she knowingly and maliciously:
- a) Causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding five thousand dollars;
- b) Causes an interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public by physically damaging or tampering with an emergency vehicle or property of the state, a political subdivision thereof, or a public utility or mode of public transportation, power, or communication; or
- c) Causes an impairment of the safety, efficiency, or operation of an aircraft by physically damaging or tampering with the aircraft or aircraft equipment, fuel, lubricant, or parts.
Under RCW 9A.48.080, a person is guilty of Malicious Mischief in the Second Degree (a Class C Felony) if he or she knowingly and maliciously:
- a) Causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding seven hundred fifty dollars; or
- b) Creates a substantial risk of interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public, by physically damaging or tampering with an emergency vehicle or property of the state, a political subdivision thereof, or a public utility or mode of public transportation, power, or communication.
Under RCW 9A.48.090, a person is guilty of Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree if he or she
- a) 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
- b) 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 unless the person has obtained the express permission of the owner or operator of the property, under circumstances not amounting to malicious mischief in the first or second degree
Ashbach Law Offices, LLC, aggressively represents clients charged with Malicious Mischief throughout the Washington I-5 corridor, covering Skagit, Snohomish, King and Whatcom Counties. Regular courts of practice include, but are not limited to, Anacortes, Arlington, Bellevue, Bellingham, Blaine, Burlington, Edmonds, Everett, Issaquah, Lynnwood, Marysville, Monroe, Mount Vernon, Mountlake Terrance, Redmond, Seattle, Sedro Woolley and Shoreline.