Criminal Mischief May Also Include Domestic Violence in Denver
Criminal Mischief is also known as the destruction of another person’s property in Denver, Arapahoe, and Douglas County. As a criminal defense attorney who practices law every day in the courts throughout this great state, I have seen many people face false misdemeanor and felony charges. In the worst instances, these same people are dealing with Domestic Violence as a sentence enhancer to those charges. People facing charges of Criminal Mischief need the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
What Does Criminal Mischief in Douglas County Mean?
Criminal Mischief is generally defined as the knowing destruction of another person’s property. This law also applies to property owned jointly between two people. Destruction doesn’t have to only be complete destruction of the item. Criminal Mischief charges in Jefferson, Adams, and Elbert County can also be based on partial destruction and/or general damage to the item.
How Does a Criminal Mischief Charge Become Domestic Violence ?
Domestic Violence (read more) is not a crime in and of itself. Instead, Domestic Violence is a sentence enhancer that attaches to a different criminal action. The criminal activity could be Theft, Criminal Tampering, or even Burglary. A sentence enhancer adds additional requirements to an individual’s punishment; a punishment that is issued by the courts when a conviction occurs. When a person is convicted at trial or by plea agreement of the crime of Criminal Mischief, that person will then be punished by the judge on his/her case.
What are the Punishments for the Crime of Criminal Mischief?
Breaking someone else’s property can be charged in a variety of ways. A person could be facing a low level misdemeanor all the way to a very high felony. The basis of the charge is the amount of money the damaged or destroyed item, or items, cost. If it is an expensive item, the person could be facing many years in prison and fines that stretch higher than $100,000.00. If the item is a keepsake and has sentimental value, in other words it is not very valuable, then the likely punishment is much lower and could include minimum fines and an shorter amount of incarceration in the Broomfield, El Paso, and Clear Creek jail.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Help Me Fight My Criminal Mischief Charges?
If you are facing charges that have the potential punishment of incarceration, you need to have a knowledgeable practicing criminal defense attorney fighting for you. Having the right attorney can mean the difference in having a permanent record, spending days in jail, or paying lofty fines.
So, if you are dealing with Criminal Mischief charges, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us immediately at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net – Tuomas_Lehtinen