An individual who has been charged with a criminal mischief offense in Georgetown can face serious penalties and repercussions, even though criminal mischief may appear to be a minor offense. For example, criminal mischief can result in a misdemeanor or felony conviction, which can result in a jail or prison sentence, fines, a possibly permanent criminal record, and/or an inability to pursue certain jobs or professional opportunities.
If you have been charged with a criminal mischief offense, it is important to remember that your charges do not have to result in a conviction. The state prosecutor has the difficult burden to prove you committed every element to your offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If the judge or jury has any doubt you committed an element to a criminal mischief offense, the charges against you must be reduced or even dismissed. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Georgetown to identify your best legal strategy.
Georgetown Criminal Mischief Lawyer
If you have been charged with criminal mischief in Georgetown, or any of the surrounding areas Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Hutto, Killeen, Temple, Belton or Harker Heights, contact Price & Twine, PLLC
Attorney Michael J. Price is an aggressive property crime defense attorney in Georgetown who will make every effort to fight the allegations against you. Call Price & Twine, PLLC for a free consultation at (512) 354-1880 about your alleged criminal mischief offense.
Georgetown Criminal Mischief
Criminal mischief offenses typically some type of damage to property, including alteration, destruction, and defacement to another person’s property. Criminal offenses commonly associated with criminal mischief can include vandalism, graffiti, and even arson.
An individual can be charged with criminal mischief in Georgetown under Tex. Penal Code § 28.03 if they engage in any of the following conduct without the consent of the property owner:
- Intentionally or knowingly damage or destroy tangible property that belongs to another person;
- Cause a financial loss or substantial inconvenience to the owner or another person of tangible property by intentionally or knowingly tampering with the property;
- Intentionally or knowingly mark, draw, paint, inscribe on, or mark a slogan on the tangible property that belongs to another person.
Tangible property is any type of personal or real property that can be touched or is moveable. For example, furniture, a home, a car, clothing, electronics, and appliances are tangible property. A copyright, checking account, deed, mortgage or stock certificate are examples of intangible property.
Criminal Mischief Penalties in Georgetown
The penalties for Georgetown criminal mischief offense are defined in Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code. A conviction for a criminal mischief offense can range from simple misdemeanors to serious felony offenses depending on the value of property damage or destruction.
A criminal mischief offense can result in a class C misdemeanor conviction, which is punishable by a fine up to $500, if the amount of financial loss is less than $50, or it causes substantial inconvenience to another person.
A criminal mischief offense can result in a class B misdemeanor conviction, which is punishable by a jail sentence up to 180 days and/or a fine up to $2,000, if the amount of financial loss is less than $500 but $50 or more.
A criminal mischief offense can result in a class A misdemeanor conviction, which is punishable by a jail sentence up to one year and/or a fine up to $4,000, if the amount of financial loss is less than $1,500 but at least $500, or the alleged offender causes impairment or interruption of any public water supply.
A criminal mischief offense can result in a state jail felony conviction, which is punishable by a jail sentence ranging from 180 days to two years and/or a fine up to $10,000, if the amount of financial loss is:
- Less than $20,000 but $1,500 or more;
- Less than $1,500, but a home or habitation was damaged or destroyed through the use of a firearm or explosive weapon;
- Less than $1,500, but a fence used to contain livestock, game animals or poultry was destroyed or damaged; or
- Less than $20,000, but the alleged offender caused public communications, transportation, gas power supply, or any other public service to be impaired or interrupted.
A criminal mischief offense can result in a felony of the third-degree conviction, which is punishable by a prison sentence ranging from two to ten years and/or a fine up to $10,000, if the amount of financial loss is less than $100,000 but at least $20,000.
A criminal mischief offense can result in a felony of the second-degree conviction, which is punishable by a prison sentence ranging from two to 20 years and/or a fine up to $10,000, if the amount of financial loss is less than $200,000 but $100,000 or more.
A criminal mischief offense can result in a felony of the first-degree conviction, which is punishable by a prison sentence ranging from five to 99 years or life imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000, if the amount of financial loss is $200,000 or more.
Price & Twine, PLLC | Round Rock Criminal Mischief Attorney
Contact Price & Twine, PLLC today for a consultation about your alleged property crime throughout Williamson County in Texas. Michael J. Price is an experienced Georgetown criminal defense lawyer who will make every effort to help you avoid the most serious penalties and repercussions to your alleged offense.
Contact Price & Twine, PLLC at (512) 354-1880 for a consultation about your criminal mischief allegations throughout Williamson County and Bell County in Texas.