Terre Haute Criminal Mischief Lawyer
Criminal mischief might not seem like a serious charge, but it could affect your life if you don’t fight back. If you’re accused of this crime, contact a criminal mischief lawyer in Terre Haute for the defense you need.
No matter what city you’re in, it’s common to see a little graffiti. Some cities have designated areas for this, where artists can use the designated space for painting. Unfortunately, you might have been accused of defacing property in Terre Haute without permission, and now you could face high fees and jail time.
While criminal mischief may not sound so serious, the defacing of property can land you in trouble if you don’t fight back or don’t fight back with the right help. Criminal mischief isn’t just limited to graffiti, either. Criminal mischief can be charged any time a person damages someone else’s property without the owner’s permission.
If you’re concerned about your case and you want a chance at a clean record, contact a Terre Haute criminal mischief lawyer from the Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm.
Penalties for Criminal Mischief
In most cases, criminal mischief is a Class B misdemeanor, which could mean up to 180 days in jail and fines that could reach $1,000. This covers cases where property was defaced but the damages were less than $750. Those are already significant losses, and that doesn’t include the social losses, such as your relationships or job, that you could suffer because of a conviction.
Worse, you might be charged with a higher class of offense, like a Level 6 felony. Felony charges look even worse on your record, and you can expect up to two-and-a-half years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
The following situations and others could warrant a more serious penalty:
- A place of worship is damaged.
- A school is damaged.
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The damages were worth more than $50,000.
Fighting Back in Terre Haute
Once you’re in court, what can your lawyer do? You’ll need someone who can fight back and provide evidence that you weren’t responsible for the property damage. Our Terre Haute criminal defense attorneys will review the case and decide the best angle for your claim, based on the context.
For example, we might use one of the following common defenses for your case:
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False Identity – Sometimes, the person responsible is someone else. They looked like you, but you have an alibi that says you were somewhere else at the time, so we’ll prove you weren’t there and someone else committed the crime.
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Cost of Damages – If you were seen at the crime scene, your attorney may approach the issue by stating that the damages weren’t as serious. Others may claim you did over $50,000 in damages, but your lawyer may argue that the damages were less, avoiding a felony charge.
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Unintentional Damages – In other situations, the problem may be a failure in communication. You might have misunderstood what you were allowed to do. For example, the property owners may have given you permission with certain parameters, but you misunderstood and broke those rules.
Speak to a Terre Haute Criminal Mischief Attorney
If you’ve been accused of criminal mischief, you’ll need to act quickly to avoid those charges. While it may seem like there’s no way to fight it, a lawyer from Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm can help. We’ll review your case and fight back when you’re facing these serious charges.
If you’ve been arrested for criminal mischief, you’ll need to act as soon as possible. To get started, simply contact our Terre Haute criminal mischief lawyer by calling 1-812-232-7400 or completing the online form below.
