Vandals, under the guise of “feminism,” recently sullied pin-up queen Bettie Page.

The iconic 18-foot mural, painted 11 years ago the on the side of a Seattle house near Interstate 5, was doused in paint earlier this summer. A message painted on the side of the house by the vandals said the mural was “exploiting” women.

Undaunted, the homeowners recently decided to restore the mural and add a second painting - this one a 12-footer of drag queen Divine in repose.

To deter against vandals returning, the homeowners, parents to two young children, have installed a security camera and a motion-sensor light.

Under the Revised Code of Washington, malicious mischief - physical damage includes any diminution in the value of the property as the consequence of an act and the cost to repair any physical damage.

A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the first degree if he or she knowingly:

• Causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding $5,000;
• 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
• 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.

Malicious mischief in the first degree is a Class B felony, punishable by 10 years in prison, or a $25,000 fine, or by both.

A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the second degree if he or she knowingly:

• Causes physical damage to the property of another in an amount exceeding $750; or
• 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.

Malicious mischief in the second degree is a Class C felony, punishable by five years in prison, or a $10,000 fine, or both.

A person is guilty of malicious mischief in the third degree if he or she:

• Knowingly causes physical damage to the property of another, under circumstances not amounting to malicious mischief in the first or second degree; or
• 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 another 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 degrees.

Malicious mischief in the third degree is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, or a $5,000 fine, or both.

If more than one item of property is physically damaged as a result of a common scheme or plan by a person and the physical damage to the property would, when considered separately, constitute mischief in the third degree because of value, then the value of the damages may be aggregated in one count. If the sum of the value of all the physical damages exceeds $250, the defendant may be charged with and convicted of malicious mischief in the second degree.

No matter the crime or the circumstances, everyone is entitled to the best defense available. If you have been arrested and face criminal charges, call the Seattle law office of Steve Karimi at (206) 621-8777 or contact him online.