Connecticut Criminal Mischief - Laws & Penalties
Criminal mischief can be a serious felony or
misdemeanor charge, and can result in jail time, and
severe fines.
In addition, if you plead or are found guilty you
will end up with a permanent criminal record on a
public Connecticut offender database that can be found by anyone. Even if
you made a dumb mistake and think you are guilty of
the criminal mischief charge, it makes sense to
evaluate your legal defense options to prevent a
permanent scar on your record that could impact your
future.
Please contact us to find out how we can fight
the charges and prevent the most serious penalties.
If you made a mistake, you deserve a second chance.
Don't just accept a punishment that may be much
harsher than you deserve!
What is Criminal Mischief?
Criminal mischief is a destruction of property
crime, which could include any type of physical
damage to another person's property, or public
property. It can range from keying a person's car,
graffiti, or much more serious destruction.
Under Connecticut's criminal laws, the charge of
Criminal Mischief is charged at different
degrees based on the
seriousness of the damage, and the target of the
incident.
Common reasons behind a crime of criminal
mischief are domestic disputes, road rage incidents,
revenge attacks, and juvenile pranks.
If you are not guilty of the charge, then you
absolutely need to fight these charges. But
even if you believe you are guilty, lost your
temper, and did something dumb, don't just accept a
harsh punishment without a negotiation that could
save you from a serious criminal record.
Different Criminal Mischief Charges Under
Connecticut Law
You care charged with 1st
degree criminal mischief (a felony), if it involves
- property damage in excess of $1500
- damage to public utilities
- monitoring equipment related to conditional
discharge from the courts, such as a tracking
device
- damaging fire alarms, smoke alarms, or other
public safety equipment
2nd
degree criminal mischief is the criminal
charge if:
- tangible property damages above $250
- with intent to cause damage to property
3rd
degree criminal mischief is the criminal
charge if you:
- intentionally or recklessly cause damage to
someone's property, or government property
- tampers with property that causes it to
become endangered
4th
degree criminal mischief is the criminal
charge if:
- intentionally or recklessly cause damage or
tampers with a fire hydrant, smoke or fire
detection equipment or other government property
for fire alarm, fire suppressant, or police
alarm purposes.
Connecticut Criminal Mischief - Penalties
| Degree |
Penalty |
Classification |
| Criminal Mischief, first degree |
- From 1 to 5 years in prison
- Fines up to $5,000
|
Class D Felony |
| Criminal Mischief, second degree |
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to a $2000 Fine
|
Class A
Misdemeanor |
| Criminal Mischief, third degree |
- Up to 6 months in jail
- Up to a $1000 Fine
|
Class B Misdemeanor |
| Criminal Mischief, fourth degree |
- Up to 3 months in jail
- Up to a $500 Fine
|
Class C Misdemeanor |
How to Fight a Connecticut Criminal Mischief Charge
Strategies I many use to fight criminal mischief
charges in Connecticut may include:
- Challenging identification by a witness
: Are they certain it was you? Could it be a
mistaken identity?
- Reduction of charges: Can we get this
reduced down a level, or possibly dropped from a
criminal charge to a civil trespassing charge?
- Restitution: Will they drop the
charges in exchange for payment of the cost of
the damage, and court costs?
My defense strategy will depend completely on the
facts of your case. But the goal is to keep your
record clean.
These cases can be complicated, and how I would
actually proceed really depends on the facts of your
case. Call me for a case evaluation and consultation
on your charges. I'll
reviewing the facts with you and let you know what I
can do to help you. Call me at
(860) 218-9851.
References:
CT Penal Law -
Criminal Mischief
: Sec. Sec. 53a-115.
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