Houston Criminal Mischief Lawyer
Harris County Criminal Mischief Attorney for over 25 years
If you are charged with any type of criminal mischief, you need to know and understand the potential crimes you are facing.
In Houston, criminal mischief offenses are generally defined as intentionally damaging another person’s property. Types of damage are commonly referred to as destruction, alteration and defacement. Minor actions associated with criminal mischief often include vandalism or graffiti, and more serious actions include the destruction of the property.
Criminal Mischief in Houston
According to Tex. Penal Code § 28.03, the following conduct can result in being charged with criminal mischief in Harris County:
- Intentionally or knowingly damaging or destroying another person’s tangible property;
- Intentionally or knowingly tampering with the tangible property of another person and causing financial loss or substantial inconvenience to him or a third person;
- Intentionally or knowingly making markings, including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible property of another person.
Penalties for Criminal Mischief in Harris County
Depending on the value of the destruction or property damage, you could face misdemeanor or felony offense punishment. Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code defines the applicable penalties you may face with a criminal mischief offense:
- Class C Misdemeanor – A fine of up to $500 can be charged to you if the financial loss amounts to less than $100, or causes substantial inconvenience to another being.
- Class B Misdemeanor – A fine of up to $2,000 and/or a jail sentence of up to 180 days can be charged to you if the financial loss amounts to less than $750 but at least $100 or more.
- Class A Misdemeanor – A fine of up to $4,000 and/or a jail sentence of up to one year can be charged to you if the financial loss amounts to less than $2,500 but at least $750, or your criminal mischief offense causes impairment or disruption of any public water supply.
- State Jail Felony – A fine of up to $10,000 and/or a jail sentence ranging from 180 days to two years can be charged to you if the financial loss amounts to less than $30,000 but at least $2,500 or more; less than $2,500 if a home was damaged through the use of an explosion weapon or firearm; less than $2,500 if a fence used to hold livestock, game animals, or poultry was destroyed or damaged; or less than $30,000 if your criminal mischief offense caused the impairment or disruption of public communications, gas power supply, transportation or any other public service.
- Third Degree Felony – A fine of up to $10,000 and/or a jail sentence from two to ten years can be charged to you if the financial loss amounts to less than $150,000 but at least $30,000.
- Second Degree Felony – A fine of up to $10,000 and/or a jail sentence from two to twenty years can be charged to you if the financial loss amounts to less than $300,000 but at least $150,000 or more.
- First Degree Felony – A fine of up to $10,000 and/or a jail sentence from five to 99 years or life imprisonment can be charged to you if the financial loss amounts to $300,000 or more.
Criminal Mischief Defense and Representation
Criminal mischief might not seem like a major crime. However, the fact that the damages could put peoples’ lives in jeopardy and disrupt public and private property this makes criminal mischief a much more serious offense, especially as the value of damage increases. Therefore criminal mischief charges should not be taken lightly.
If you are charged with criminal mischief in Harris county, Montgomery county, Fort Bend county, Waller county, or Brazoria county, protect your rights by retaining the experienced Houston criminal defense lawyers at James G. Sullivan & Associates.
Client review of Criminal Mischief case
Mr. Sullivan got me the best outcome for a reasonable fee while also providing unparalleled customer service!
James Sullivan is a great lawyer and a great person. In June, I was arrested after drinking too much and damaged a parked car. I was charged with a Class A misdemeanor of criminal mischief. As a medical professional, I cannot have any convictions on my record or I risk losing my ability to work in the healthcare field. James was able to get my charges dismissed after paying restitution and taking a short decision-making course.
Getting the charges dismissed was awesome and I am extremely grateful that James Sullivan was able to hash out a deal with the prosecution, but what I enjoyed most was his calm yet confident demeanor. He never rushed phone calls or made me feel hurried. When I was arrested and still in custody, James spoke with my nervous girlfriend. He was able to calmly explain the charges, options and likely outcome which made her feel at peace. We also had an overseas vacation planned that conflicted with my first court date. We had to leave before the court date and would not return until several days afterward. James assured us we could leave on the vacation as scheduled and he would go to court and reset my court date until after we returned. A few days later I received his text message that he did reset the court date so that we could continue to enjoy our vacation on a sunny Caribbean island.
I highly recommend James Sullivan for anyone looking to get the best outcome. His rates are very reasonable and the value he provides in terms of customer service is unparalleled.
Avvo client review posted on August 29, 2018
Contact Attorney James Sullivan
If you or a loved one is facing a criminal mischief or criminal trespass offense, contact Attorney James Sullivan today at (281) 546-6428 to schedule a free confidential consultation.
James Sullivan is an experienced Houston Criminal Defense Attorney. Since 1994, Sullivan has successfully fought the government in jury trials on behalf of clients in criminal and juvenile courts.
James Sullivan graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a degree in Journalism, the ideal degree for investigating, discovering and telling winning stories in court. In 1993, Sullivan graduated from South Texas College of Law, which is nationally recognized as the top law school for trial advocacy.
James Sullivan later graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. Founded in 1994, it is the most selective and prestigious trial advocacy program in America. The methods taught at TLC are not taught anywhere else. The 1,150 graduates form an extremely unique community of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the United States.
