Fort Worth Criminal Mischief Lawyer

Tarrant County Criminal Mischief Attorney Serving Texas

The term "mischief" may lead you to believe that this charge is minor and does not need to be taken seriously. It conjures up images of a group of young people throwing a few eggs at a house or toilet-papering a lawn. However, do not let the connotations mislead you. While a variety of youthful pranks can certainly lead to this charge, many cases involve much more serious destruction or damage to property. Criminal mischief is a charge that can lead to jail time. It can even be charged as a felony under certain circumstances.

The Dameron Law Firm has worked with a number of people facing all levels of criminal mischief charges, from Class C misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. Whether your alleged crime is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony and the potential penalties it carries will depend on the severity of the damage done. In either case, it is important that you take steps immediately to address the charge. Our firm will fight to keep this offense from affecting the rest of your life.

Texas Lawyer for Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief Charges

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor for this offense, it may be easy to brush it off as non-serious. However, a criminal mischief charge will still leave you with a permanent criminal record that may limit your opportunities in the future. Trespassing is sometimes charged as well. Misdemeanor criminal mischief is typically charged according to these guidelines:

• Class C - Less than $100 in pecuniary damage or substantial inconvenience to the victim is caused. At this level, you should only be facing a fine of not more than $500.
• Class B - You could face up to 180 days of jail time for causing between $100 and $750 in property damage.
• Class A - Punishable by up to a year in jail, the highest level of this crime before you get into felony territory will be charged if the damage is calculated at between $750 and $2,500 or if you managed to disrupt the public water supply in any way.

The Dameron Law Firm takes every legal defense very seriously. Our firm wants to help minimize the impact that this charge will have on your life going forward.

Felony Criminal Mischief Law Firm in Tarrant County

Some Texans who have committed what they believed to be minor vandalism are shocked to find out that they have been charged with a felony. Damage to property can add up quickly. The cost of restoring any property involved can quickly escalate past what you anticipated - as can the seriousness of the penalties you face.

At the low end, criminal mischief will be charged as a state jail felony if the pecuniary damage comes in between $2,500 and $30,000 or if certain public services were impaired. The upgrade from misdemeanor to felony charges can also be based on the identity of the victim. Damaging or destroying the property of a place of worship, a community center, a cemetery, or certain other protected places, as well as using a weapon, can lead to criminal mischief being prosecuted as a felony.

At the most serious end of the spectrum, criminal mischief can become a first-degree felony in extreme situations where more than $300,000 worth of damage is done. It is easier to arrive at this total than you may think. Our firm may be able to argue that your charge should be reduced to a lower-level offense in some circumstances.

Call an Arlington Criminal Mischief Defense Attorney

If you are facing criminal mischief charges, The Dameron Law Firm will take your defense very seriously. Whether you are facing minor misdemeanor charges or a serious felony, we have the experience needed to help you. Contact us at 817-222-0624, and we will arrange a free consultation.