Stamford Criminal Mischief Lawyer
Vandalism, or criminal mischief as it is commonly charged in Stamford, may be treated with surprising severity under Connecticut criminal statutes. In many cases, criminal mischief is charged as a felony offense with penalties that may include up to five years in prison.
If you face criminal mischief charges, you need an aggressive criminal defense attorney by your side. Contact a top Stamford criminal mischief lawyer for help with your case.
What is Criminal Mischief in Stamford CT?
A person is guilty of criminal mischief when they intend to cause damage to the tangible property of another person and there is no reasonable ground to believe that they have the right to do so. Criminal mischief also occurs when someone intends to cause interruption or impairment of service rendered to the public and has no reasonable grounds to believe they have the right to do so. That could involve damaging or tampering with communications, thereby interrupting or impairing service rendered, such as electronic monitoring equipment that is required as a condition of probation or conditional discharge.
Criminal mischief charges could also apply to property owned by any state, municipality, or police. It could be equipment operated by an emergency service, such as the fire department and its fire hydrants.
What are the Penalties for my Stamford Criminal Mischief Arrest?
There are four different degrees of criminal mischief listed under the Connecticut General Statutes, each with different potential penalties. The least serious criminal mischief offense, fourth-degree criminal mischief, is commonly treated as a class C misdemeanor. Such an offense could be punished with up to three months in jail and a fine no higher than $500.
The next step up, criminal mischief in the third-degree, is typically punishable as a class B misdemeanor. A conviction could mean a maximum sentence of six months of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000.
If you are convicted of second-degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor, you could face up to a year in jail, and a fine of up to $2,000.
Finally, first-degree criminal mischief is considered a class D felony. As the most serious criminal mischief offense, maximum penalties for this charge may include as much as five years of imprisonment and a fine as high as $5,000.
Do I Need a Lawyer for my Stamford Criminal Mischief Arrest?
Yes. A charge of criminal mischief may stem from a seemingly minor situation, but the potential consequences could be serious. If you are facing criminal mischief charges, you should contact a top Stamford criminal mischief lawyer immediately to further understand your charges and the potential ramifications. Call today to schedule a consultation.