What Is Felony Criminal Mischief In Rockland County?

At first glance, the phrase “criminal mischief” might seem relatively innocuous. After all, “mischief” is something typically associated with children and pranks. However, criminal mischief can be very serious in Rockland County – and it may even be prosecuted as a felony. If you face this charge, you may want to get in touch with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Rockland County.

The Definition of Criminal Mischief in New York 

Although “mischief” is a relatively broad term, it has a very specific definition in the legal world. In New York, this is essentially the same thing as “vandalism.” While other states use the term vandalism in their laws, New York prefers to describe this as criminal mischief. The basic concept is simple: If you intentionally destroy or damage someone else’s property in New York, you may face charges of criminal mischief.

What Are Some Examples of Criminal Mischief? 

Criminal mischief can take various forms in New York. An obvious example is graffiti, which causes damage to properties because owners must spend money to clean away the markings. You might also face criminal mischief charges for slashing someone’s tires or keying their car. Another example would be throwing a brick through an empty warehouse window. Some types of criminal mischief involve tampering with public utilities (such as electrical boxes or wastewater plants).

When Does Criminal Mischief Become a Felony? 

The severity of your criminal mischief penalties becomes worse depending on the amount of damage you allegedly caused. If you caused less than $250 in damage, you face relatively light penalties. However, it is possible to face a felony for causing damage that costs more to repair than $250.

A recent example of felony criminal mischief occurred when a man was caught after allegedly going on a $25,000 graffiti spree in New York. He is accused of defacing more than 29 public and private properties. The authorities say that some of these buildings were historic landmarks.

Police say they began investigating the graffiti in December of 2024, and it took them a few weeks to find the defendant. Some of these buildings are allegedly very expensive to repair, especially the historic landmarks. Authorities highlighted the “intricate masonry” involved in these buildings, which have pushed the repair costs well over $25,000.

Due to the repair costs involved, this individual may face up to seven years in prison and a fine of $5,000. However, this all depends on how the defendant approaches his legal defense. It may be possible to mitigate or avoid such penalties with help from a lawyer.

Can a Defense Attorney in Rockland County Help Me? 

If you have been accused of felony criminal mischief in Rockland County, speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Ideally, you should speak with a defense lawyer before answering any questions from law enforcement. Choose Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law – and get started with a defense strategy today.

Source: 

msn.com/en-us/news/crime/25k-graffiti-spree-targeting-landmarks-leads-to-hudson-valley-mans-arrest-police/ar-AA1x30UX