Criminal Mischief Lawyer California
Have You Been Charged With Criminal Mischief or Malicious Mischief? Your Record Could Be In Jeopardy!
In California, being charged with criminal mischief or malicious mischief can mean different types of crimes, but they all can be punished by paying heavy fines, possible jail time, and destruction of your record. Let Weber Law help you today!
California Criminal Mischief Charges and Penalties
What is Criminal Mischief?
Criminal mischief is often referred to as vandalism. It has a broad definition because it encompasses a wide range of crimes.
Any act that can be described as defacing property with graffiti, or other inscribed material, damaging, or destroying any personal property, is guilty of vandalism.
Additional examples of criminal mischief include but are not limited to:
• Tagging (spray painting public or private property);
• Defacing public or private property;
• Putting sugar in a gas tank;
• Throwing rocks or objects at cars;
• Throwing rocks or objects at a train;
• Putting something on train tracks that could cause a crash; or
• Putting something in the middle of the interstate that could cause a crash.
What is the Penalty for Criminal Mischief?
The penalties for criminal mischief can include not only jail time but a hefty fine. The penalties for criminal mischief depend on the value of the property that is involved and your criminal record. The penalties are outlined below:
If the amount of defacement, damage, or destruction is $400.00 or more, vandalism is punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, a fine of up to $50,000.00, or both.
If the amount of defacement, damage, or destruction is less than $400.00, vandalism is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.
If the amount of defacement, damage, or destruction is less than $400.00, and the defendant has been previously convicted of vandalism, it is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to $5,000.00, or both.
When appropriate and feasible, the court may require the defendant to clean up, repair, or replace the damaged property, and keep the property clean for up to one year.
Additionally, if the act of vandalism is committed by a minor, the parent of the minor is responsible to pay the fines.
As the sentence can range so widely, it is important to have knowledgeable legal counsel who can advocate for the lowest sentence for you.
Even as a Defendant, you still have Rights! Make sure yours were not violated!
Even as an individual facing criminal charges, you have rights, and it is important to know those rights and make sure that they were not violated in any way when you were arrested or charged. Without extensive knowledge of your rights when it comes to police searches, Miranda rights, and your rights when it comes to arrest, it is extremely difficult to get a dismissal or reduction. Do not try to fight these charges on your own—Weber Law is ready to help you today.
Contact Weber Law immediately if you’ve been arrested on a criminal mischief charge. We offer a free confidential case evaluation – serving Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
"He did everything he could to solve my case. There was no moment where I felt like I was alone. He went to his full extent to help me lower my charges. Great lawyer.”
What should I do if I have been accused of Criminal Mischief or Malicious Mischief and how can WEBER LAW help?
If you have been accused of criminal mischief, also known as vandalism, whether a felony or misdemeanor, let Weber Law help you today. It can be a stressful situation to have criminal charges pending and Weber Law will work for you. Let Weber Law work to have your citation dismissed or dropped to a lower offense. If that is not possible, we will negotiate the best deal for you, which could include a shorter jail time, no jail time, or a lesser fine.
There are potential defenses against a charge of criminal mischief, and Weber Law will look at every aspect of your case, including surveillance footage, eyewitness testimonies, and even your prior criminal record. Let Weber Law build the best defense for you! A charge of criminal mischief or malicious mischief on your record could potentially hurt future job offers and ruin your record. Weber Law is experienced in defending these charges and getting you back to a life free of criminal charges. It is never a good idea to face these charges without an attorney, the court room can be intimidating, and you need someone with experience. Any blemish on your record can have detrimental effects on the rest of your life. Let Weber Law’s experienced attorneys fight for you in court. If you or someone you know has been accused of criminal mischief or malicious mischief, contact Weber Law today for a consultation.
CA Penal Code § 594, Vandalism, penalty
A Los Angeles, California Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Weber Law will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
We believe that justice is an idea that can triumph only when living people make it so. We are dedicated to justice. We wish to run a business that is at once profitable while allowing us to promote the rights of our fellow community members. We will stand for the poor when they are in need and their cause is just. We will work for any responsible business. We will represent all races, creeds, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
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80 South Lake Ave. Ste. 590, Pasadena, California 91101