Malicious Mischief Defense Attorneys in Vancouver, WA

Malicious Mischief Charges at a Glance

Charge	Classification
Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree	Gross misdemeanor, up to 364 days and a $5,000 fine

What Counts as Malicious Mischief in Washington

One of the most commonly charged domestic violence charges is Malicious Mischief. The most commonly prosecuted type is Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree or Malicious Mischief 3. This charge is a gross misdemeanor charge where a person knowingly and maliciously damages the property of another. This is most commonly seen in the domestic violence context, because couples may get into a fight and then start breaking things. In the context of marriage, you can even get charged for Malicious Mischief if you break your own belongings, so long as the alleged victim also has a claim of ownership over the property. For example, if you and your spouse get into a fight at home and you break a dinner glass, you might be charged with malicious mischief because you broke your wife's dinner glass (even though it is also your dinner glass). Being charged with Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree most often will result in a mandatory arrest, imposition of a domestic violence no-contact order, and potential loss of firearm rights. Because it is a gross misdemeanor charge, you could also face up to 364 days in jail and up to a $5,000 fine. All for breaking a dinner glass. It is important then to consult with a domestic violence lawyer about your case at the earliest opportunity, so you can try to get your life back on track. We offer a free consultation on every case, so there is no risk in calling.

Malicious Mischief 3 DV

If you are facing a charge of Malicious Mischief 3 DV, you may have defenses to the charge. An experienced domestic violence criminal defense attorney can help you best prepare for trial and negotiate with the prosecutor for a potential settlement. Often times, the alleged victim doesn't even want the prosecution to go forward, so we can help you decide whether pushing the case to trial makes the most sense. Even if your case is not a strong trial case, there may be alternative resolutions that we can explore that don't require you to plead guilty. We generally handle misdemeanor Malicious Mischief charges on affordable flat-fee terms that won't be impossible to afford. We can even do a payment plan if you cannot afford the entire fee upfront.