Criminal Mischief can be charged in Weld County if you damage the real or personal property of another person. Below the lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office will discuss:
- Criminal Mischief Definition in Greeley, Colorado
- Examples in Weld County of Criminal Mischief
- How a Criminal Mischief Conviction Sentence is Structured in Greeley, Colorado
- Weld County Defenses to a Criminal Mischief Charge
The criminal offense of Criminal Mischief can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the extent of damage or value of the property damage. No matter what the degree of the charge, hiring an experienced Criminal Mischief lawyer is best for your case and future.
#1. Criminal Mischief Definition in Greeley, Colorado
When you’re charged with Criminal Mischief, C.R.S. 18-4-501, in Greeley, the Court and judge will use this definition in your criminal case:
Many crimes can fit into the definition of Criminal Mischief, unfortunately it is a broad charge that also can be accompanied by many other criminal charges. For instance, you can be charged with Vandalism for tagging or graffitiing a building, but you can also be charged with Criminal Mischief. Theft could also be one of your charges.
#2 Examples in Weld County of Criminal Mischief
In Weld County, some examples of Criminal Mischief are:
- Breaking a car window
- Graffiti or Tagging
- Keying a Car
- Tampering with a fire alarm
- Setting off a computer virus on a computer
#3 How a Criminal Mischief Conviction Sentence is Structured in Greeley, Colorado
In Greeley Courts, Criminal Mischief is sentenced dependent on the value of the property that was damaged or destroyed. Below is a listing of the dollar value, sentence and punishment correlation:
| Class of Crime and Punishments | Total Damage of Property |
| Class 3 Misdemeanor – Punishable by up to 6 months in Weld County Jail and $750 in fines. | Less than $300 |
| Class 2 Misdemeanor – Punishable by up to 1 year in Colorado State Prison and $1,000 in fines. | $300 to $749 |
| Class 1 Misdemeanor – Punishable by up to 1.5 years in prison and $5,000 in fines. | $750 to $999 |
| Class 6 Felony – Punishable by up to 1.5 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. | $1,000 to $4,999 |
| Class 5 Felony – Punishable by up 3 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. | $5,000 to $19,999 |
| Class 4 Felony – Punishable by up to 6 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. | $20,000 to $99,999 |
| Class 3 Felony – Punishable by up to 12 years in prison and $750,000 in fines. | $100,000 to $999,999 |
| Class 2 Felony – Punishable by up to 24 years in prison and $1,000,000 in fines. | $1,000,000 or more |
It is important to note that any damage over $300 can land a person convicted in the Weld County Jail, and felony charges can result in prison and a hefty fine. If you find yourself facing jail or prison time because of criminal mischief charges, consult with a Greeley top criminal defense lawyer to find out if you may be eligible for probation.
#4 Weld County Defenses to a Criminal Mischief Charge
Each Criminal Mischief case in Weld County will be fought dependent on the facts of the case. Some common defenses are:
- There was actually no damage to the property.
- The damage was a result of an accident, and not the result of intended conduct.
- You were not the person who damaged the property, and it was mistaken identity.
- The property was damaged when you were trying to defend yourself.
- The property was damaged before you even arrived on scene.
Another possibility to reduce the charge is to assert that the damage was not worth as much as claimed. Many times, police charge you with the new value of USED property. At other times, the property is merely damaged and can easily be fixed, yet police charge you as if the property were a total loss. This defense, if successful, could reduce the penalties.
Felony and misdemeanor cases can present serious problems for those charged. If you have been accused of a crime, protect yourself by hiring the experienced Criminal Mischief defense attorneys who will fight for you.
If you have been falsely accused of Criminal Mischief in Weld County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule your free consultation today. Together, we can protect your future.
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