Criminal mischief is a criminal charge you could be facing, if you’re accused of destroying another person’s property. Likewise, you can be charged with criminal mischief if it’s alleged that your conduct has caused someone else’s property to suffer a reduction in value. Criminal mischief can be either a felony or misdemeanor, depending upon the alleged loss of value to the item you’re alleged to have damaged or destroyed. If the loss alleged is less than $50, you can be charged with class C misdemeanor criminal mischief, which is punishable by a fine only of up to $500 (i.e., you cannot receive jail time on a class C misdemeanor criminal mischief charge). If the alleged loss is between $0 and $500, you can be charged with class B misdemeanor criminal mischief, with a penalty range of up to six months in the county jail and a $2000 fine. Class A misdemeanor criminal mischief is charged, when the alleged loss is between $500 and $1500, and is punishable by up to one year in the county jail and a $400 fine. Any criminal mischief charge in which the alleged value is over $1500 is considered a felony, and if the alleged value is greater than $200,000, you can be charged with a first degree felony count of criminal mischief. First degree felonies involve a penalty scheme of five to ninety-nine years in prison, or life, and a fine of up to $10,000. The Texas criminal mischief statute can also be utilized in situations where electricity is alleged to have been stolen, an explosive device has been used, and, if it’s alleged that you’ve infected livestock with “mad cow” disease, you can be charged with a first degree felony, regardless of the loss involved.
Locations We Service: Addison,Balch Springs,Carrollton,Cockrell Hill, Coppell, Dallas County, Desoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Garland, Highland Park, Irving , Lancaster, Mesquite, Richardson, Rowlett, Seagoville, Sunnyvale, University Park,Allen, Collin County, Frisco, Plano