New Canaan Criminal Mischief Charges
Criminal mischief laws are strictly enforced in small towns such as New Canaan and throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut. The police and the public work hard to protect their property, and the threat of the damage to the property is not taken lightly. Criminal mischief charges can be felonies or misdemeanors, but all degrees are taken extremely seriously.
If you face New Canaan criminal mischief charges, you should seek the services of a top CT lawyer immediately. A skilled attorney could fight on your behalf for an optimum outcome to your case. Call today to get started building a defense.
Criminal Mischief Arrest Process
If a witness or the alleged victim sees someone commit an act of criminal mischief, they can call the New Canaan Police Department. After a report of criminal mischief, the police will initiate an investigation. If there is probable cause to believe that a crime occurred, they can arrest someone on the spot.
When someone is arrested for criminal mischief, they will be either given a ticket, which is a misdemeanor summons to appear in court on an arraignment date, or they will be arrested and taken to the police department. There, they will be booked, released, and given a court date. At that point, the person has to go to court on their arraignment date.
Levels of Criminal Mischief Charge
There are several different levels of New Canaan criminal mischief charges. Depending on the damage to the property, what property was damaged, and the actor’s intentions when they committed the damage, the defendant can be charged with a felony or a misdemeanor. Criminal mischief in the first degree is a Class D felony, criminal mischief in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor, criminal mischief in the third degree is a Class B misdemeanor, and criminal mischief in the fourth degree is a Class C misdemeanor.
Examples of First-Degree Mischief
Criminal mischief in the first degree is taken the most seriously because of the amount of damage. First-degree criminal mischief occurs anytime a property is damaged and the damage exceeds $1,500. These charges could also come from damage to property that belongs to the state, the police department, or the government municipality, including:
- Fire hydrants
- Fire alarms
- Police alarms
- Telecommunication system operated by the state police
- Emergency medical or fire service dispatching system
- Fire suppression equipment
Contact a Criminal Mischief Attorney for Help
Criminal mischief arrest can be intimidating for an accused individual because these charges carry big penalties in Connecticut. Depending on the degree of the charge, the individual could be looking at jail time for a conviction as well as several trips to court and paying restitution for any damage.
New Canaan criminal mischief charges can have a devastating impact on your life, but a skilled defense attorney is available to help. A top CT lawyer understands the elements the prosecution needs to prove, and they could carefully scrutinize the evidence against you. Reach out to an attorney today to begin working towards a positive resolution.