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Columbus Criminal Mischief Defense Attorney
Criminal property damage is a major crime in the state of Ohio. Criminal mischief, like criminal damage and vandalism, is a property damage crime that attracts major penalties and fines. If you have been charged with criminal mischief, it is recommended that you hire a lawyer to help you out of the trouble you have found yourself in. Call Attorney Adam Burke now at (614) 280-9122 for your free consultation.
Definition: Ohio Criminal Mischief
Ohio Criminal mischief deals with damage caused to property, like vandalism, but it is considered an umbrella offense that covers a lot of possible types of property damage, unlike vandalism.
In the state of Ohio, to be found guilty of Criminal Mischief the prosecution must prove that you:
- Knowingly shift, destroy, deface, damage, or tamper with property that belongs to someone else.
- Employ a tear gas grenade, stink bomb, smoke generator, or a similar device to interfere or stop others from enjoying or using their property.
- Tamper with, move, or destroy property signs or boundary markers.
- Tamper with, move, or destroy a safety device, which causes it to lose its effectiveness and put others at jeopardy.
Criminal mischief, depending on where the mischief was caused, may be considered a 3rd degree, 2nd degree, or 1st degree misdemeanor.
In some cases, if a person was harmed as a result of the offender’s actions, the criminal mischief is charged as felony of the 5th or the 4th degree. It may also be charged as a felony if the value of the property involved in the mischief was significant.
Penalties for Criminal Mischief
For a 3rd to 1st degree misdemeanor, the penalty is from up to 60 days to 6 months in the local jails, with fines ranging from up to $500 to $1000. For a 4th degree felony, the prison time is 6 to 18 months, with fines of up to $5000. For a 3rd degree felony, the prison time is 1 to 5 years in jail, with fines of up to $10,000. 1
Burke, Meis & Associates — Columbus, Ohio Criminal Mischief Lawyer
If you have been charged with criminal mischief in Columbus or any of the surrounding areas in Ohio, contact Burke, Meis & Associates. Attorney Adam Burke is an experienced defense attorney who will fight for your rights and your freedom. Call Attorney Adam Burke today for your free consultation at (614) 280-9122.