Criminal mischief is defined as a criminal act against real or personal property – damage, defacement, or destruction. An individual convicted of criminal mischief is proven to have intentionally and willfully damaged property or acted recklessly and damage was caused as a result.
Although criminal mischief covers a variety of crimes, the two most common offenses are vandalism and graffiti. Property damage caused by arson is not considered criminal mischief.
Criminal Mischief Sentencing
In Florida, criminal mischief is punished depending upon the value of property damaged, the type of property, and the number of prior convictions, if any.
- If the property value is below $1000, criminal mischief will be charged as a misdemeanor.
- If the property value is $1000 or above, it will be charged as a felony.
- If the property damaged was a place of worship or a public telephone, it will be charged as a felony.
- For criminal mischief involving graffiti:
- 1st conviction carries a fine of $250 or more
- 2nd conviction carries a fine of $500 or more
- 3rd or subsequent conviction carries a fine of $1000 or more
The criminal defense attorneys at LeavenLaw are experienced in criminal mischief cases and understand what those specific crimes entail and what defense strategies work best in the courtroom. Using knowledge and experience of Florida’s criminal mischief laws, our attorneys will review your case and determine the best course of action for your particular situation.
