Don’t make the mistake of thinking criminal mischief is not a serious offense. A conviction can have serious consequences, especially if valuable property was damaged. You need equally serious legal counsel to help you defend yourself and your future. My Dallas Criminal Lawyer is here to provide that defense.

Contact us today for an initial case evaluation with a knowledgeable Dallas criminal mischief defense attorney. We look forward to meeting you, listening to your concerns, and explaining how we’ll defend your interests.

Do You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney After a Criminal Mischief Arrest?

Police and prosecutors have considerable power in our legal system. Don’t make the mistake of going up against them alone. A criminal defense lawyer from My Dallas Criminal Lawyer will fight for your interests by:

• Investigating your criminal mischief charges to recover evidence to build your case
• Identifying potential defense strategies based on your goals and concerns
• Preparing you for what to expect in the criminal justice system so you can make informed decisions about your rights
• Fighting the prosecution’s case at every opportunity
• Pursuing the best possible outcome under the facts of your case

Why Choose the Lawyers of My Dallas Criminal Lawyer?

My Dallas Criminal Lawyer is proud to represent those charged with criminal mischief in Dallas. We think we’re the right choice for your case because:

• Our attorneys have established a reputation for thoroughly preparing our cases, vigorously advocating for our clients, and providing them with exceptional service throughout.
• We tailor our strategic approach to the circumstances of each client’s case so that we can best represent their needs, concerns, and goals.
• At our firm, you will work directly with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who will listen to your story, explain your charges and legal options, and develop a compelling case to help you seek a favorable resolution to your case.
• Our lawyers leverage our in-depth legal knowledge and litigation experience to protect your rights and interests in the criminal justice system.

Understanding Criminal Mischief Charges

Criminal mischief is the intentional or reckless damage of another person’s property. Under Texas’s Penal Code, a defendant commits the offense of criminal mischief if, without the effective consent of the property owner, they:

• Intentionally or knowingly damage or destroy the owner’s tangible property.
• Intentionally or knowingly tamper with the owner’s tangible property and cause the owner or a third party to incur pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience.
• Intentionally or knowingly make markings, such as inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the owner’s tangible property.

Prosecutors bring criminal mischief charges against those who engage in vandalism, such as graffiti, damaging people’s vehicles or homes, or destroying public property or infrastructure.

The grading of a criminal mischief charge will depend on the value of the pecuniary loss incurred by the victim(s) of the offense:

• Class C misdemeanor: Less than $100 (or only causing substantial inconvenience to others)
• Class B misdemeanor: $100 or more but less than $750
• Class A misdemeanor: $750 or more but less than $2,500, or casing damage was done to any public water supply
• State jail felony: $2,500 or more but less than $30,000, less than $2,500 if the damage occurs to a habitation by a firearm or explosive or to a fence used to contain livestock or game animals, or less than $30,000 if the damage occurs to a motor vehicle damaged by the removal or attempted removal of a catalytic converter or to property used for flood control, public communications, public transportation, or public gas service
• Third-degree felony: $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, the death of a head of cattle or bison by use of a weapon, damage to an ATM, or less than $150,000 of damage that interrupts a public power supply
• Second-degree felony: $150,000 or more but less than $300,000
• First-degree felony: $300,000 or more

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Mischief

Here are the answers to some questions that people commonly have about criminal mischief charges:

What penalties could I face for criminal mischief?

The penalties imposed for a criminal mischief conviction vary depending on the grading of the charge:

• Class C misdemeanor: A fine of up to $500
• Class B misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both incarceration and a fine
• Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both incarceration and a fine
• State jail felony: One hundred eighty days to two years in state jail and a potential fine of up to $10,000
• Third-degree felony: Two to ten years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000
• Second-degree felony: Two to 20 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000
• First-degree felony: Life imprisonment or five to 99 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000

In addition to incarceration or fines, a court may impose a restitution obligation as part of your sentence. This requires you to reimburse the victim(s) of their crime for the pecuniary losses those victims incurred.

What defenses might I have against a criminal mischief charge?

The following are common defenses you might employ in your criminal mischief case:

• Lack of intent: A defendant charged with criminal mischief may argue that they did not intentionally or knowingly destroy, damage, or tamper with the victim’s property.
• Lack of damage: Defendants may fight criminal mischief charges by arguing that their actions caused no damage or disruption to the victim(s)’s property.
• Mistaken identity/alibi: A defendant may argue that another person committed the offense and that the victim(s), eyewitnesses, or police mistakenly identified them as the perpetrator. Alternatively, a defendant might provide alibi evidence to prove they were elsewhere when the property damage or disruption occurred.
• Consent: Defendants may assert that they acted with the permission of the property owner.

What should I do after an arrest?

You can protect your rights after an arrest by:

• Asserting your right to remain silent
• Refraining from answering questions from the police about your charges
• Requesting to speak with a criminal defense attorney

Contact Us Today for Help Resolving Your Criminal Mischief Charges

Don’t face criminal mischief charges in Dallas alone. Instead, protect your rights and future with the help My Dallas Criminal Lawyer. Call us at 214-949-4117 today for a confidential consultation with a Dallas criminal mischief defense attorney.