Cherry Hill NJ Criminal Mischief Lawyer
Criminal Defense Attorney in Camden County NJ
Criminal mischief charges often are a result of acts of vandalism such as graffiti or destruction of property. Even though an act may seem relatively harmless at the time, a criminal mischief conviction can have several significant consequences including jail time and thousands of dollars in fines. If you have been charged with criminal mischief, it is crucial that you have a talented and experienced attorney that can help you get the most desirable result in your case.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison have had tremendous success handling criminal mischief cases for years in Camden County including Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Runnemede, and Willingboro. In fact, one of our attorneys is a former municipal prosecutor in New Jersey who used to prosecute various charges for the State. If you have been charged with criminal mischief, having an attorney who knows what it takes to potentially beat the charges against you is imperative. Call the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison at 877-450-8301 anytime for a free initial consultation.
Criminal Mischief Lawyer in Runnemede NJ
According to N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3, a person is guilty of criminal mischief if he or she:
(1) Purposely or knowingly damages tangible property of another or damages tangible property of another recklessly or negligently in the employment of fire, explosives or other dangerous means listed in subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:17-2; or
(2) Purposely, knowingly or recklessly tampers with tangible property of another so as to endanger person or property, including the damaging or destroying of a rental premises by a tenant in retaliation for institution of eviction proceedings.
Degrees of Criminal Mischief in New Jersey
Criminal mischief can be either a second degree, third degree, fourth degree, or disorderly persons offense. Below is a breakdown of the degrees.
(1) Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor purposely or knowingly causes pecuniary loss of $2,000.00 or more
(2) Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor causes pecuniary loss in excess of $500.00 but less than $2000.00. It is a disorderly persons offense if the actor causes pecuniary loss of $500.00 or less.
(3) Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor damages, defaces, eradicates, alters, receives, releases or causes the loss of any research property used by the research facility, or otherwise causes physical disruption to the functioning of the research facility. The term “physical disruption” does not include any lawful activity that results from public, governmental, or research facility employee reaction to the disclosure of information about the research facility.
(4) Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor damages, removes or impairs the operation of any device, including, but not limited to, a sign, signal, light or other equipment, which serves to regulate or ensure the safety of air traffic at any airport, landing field, landing strip, heliport, helistop or any other aviation facility; however, if the damage, removal or impediment of the device recklessly causes bodily injury or damage to property, the actor is guilty of a crime of the third degree, or if it recklessly causes a death, the actor is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
(5) Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor interferes or tampers with any airport, landing field, landing strip, heliport, helistop or any other aviation facility; however if the interference or tampering with the airport, landing field, landing strip, heliport, helistop or other aviation facility recklessly causes bodily injury or damage to property, the actor is guilty of a crime of the third degree, or if it recklessly causes a death, the actor is guilty of a crime of the second degree.
(6) Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor tampers with a grave, crypt, mausoleum or other site where human remains are stored or interred, with the purpose to desecrate, destroy or steal such human remains or any part thereof.
(7) Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor purposely or knowingly causes a substantial interruption or impairment of public communication, transportation, supply of water, oil, gas or power, or other public service. Criminal mischief third degree is a crime of the second degree if the substantial interruption or impairment recklessly causes death.
(8) Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor purposely or knowingly breaks, digs up, obstructs or otherwise tampers with any pipes or mains for conducting gas, oil or water, or any works erected for supplying buildings with gas, oil or water, or any appurtenances or appendages therewith connected, or injures, cuts, breaks down, destroys or otherwise tampers with any electric light wires, poles or appurtenances, or any telephone, telecommunications, cable television or telegraph wires, lines, cable or appurtenances.
Criminal Mischief Penalties in New Jersey
Penalties for criminal mischief will be imposed depending on what degree you are charged with.
Third Degree:
- 3 to 5 Years in NJ State Prison
- Maximum $15,000 fine
Fourth Degree:
- Up to 18 months in NJ State Prison
- Maximum $10,000 fine
Disorderly Persons Offense:
- Up to 6 months in county jail
- Maximum $1,000 fine
Note: If graffiti is involved, a person may have to pay restitution to the property owner in the amount of the pecuniary damage caused by the act of graffiti and to perform community service,including removing the graffiti from the property, if appropriate. Community service of at least 20 days may also be imposed.
Note: A person convicted of an offense of criminal mischief that involves the damaging or destroying of a rental premises by a tenant in retaliation for institution of eviction proceedings, may also be required to pay restitution to the owner in the amount of the pecuniary damage caused by the damage or destruction.
Contact a Gloucester NJ Criminal Mischief Lawyer for a Free Consultation
The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison are always available to speak with you about your case and begin to formulate an aggressive strategy to defend you against a criminal mischief charge. Our criminal defense team understands the details of assault law in New Jersey and we will use this knowledge to help you best defend against these charges. Call us today at 877-450-8301 for a free initial consultation about your case.
