In this first installment of “Simplified Law,” we'll be discussing the crime of Criminal Mischief – C.R.S. 18-4-501. While this crime does bring to mind mental images of mischievous elves playing harmless pranks, in reality it is much more serious. Let's look closer at this crime in Denver, Adams, and Douglas County:

The Lawyer's Definition of Criminal Mischief:

The legal jargon:

This is the actual definition of Criminal Mischief in Arapahoe, Jefferson, and El Paso County and it sounds quite complicated:

(1) A person who knowingly damages the real or personal property of one or more other persons, including property owned by the person jointly with another person or property owned by the person in which another person has a possessory or proprietary interest, in the course of a single criminal episode commits a class 2 misdemeanor where the aggregate damage to the real or personal property is less than five hundred dollars. Where the aggregate damage to the real or personal property is five hundred dollars or more but less than one thousand dollars, the person commits a class 1 misdemeanor. Where the aggregate damage to the real or personal property is one thousand dollars or more but less than twenty thousand dollars, the person commits a class 4 felony. Where the aggregate damage to the real or personal property is twenty thousand dollars or more, the person commits a class 3 felony ( view the original source).

The Simplified Definition of Criminal Mischief:

The simplified version:

Whew. We need to simplify that bunch of jargon, lingo, and terminology! Here is the simplified definition of Criminal Mischief:

“Aperson will be charged with Criminal Mischief if they knowingly damage another person's property. They can even be charged for knowingly damaging their own property if it is owned jointly with another person.

Are you facing Criminal Mischief charges?

What is the Sentence for Criminal Mischief?

The consequence of your conviction depends on how much damage you have done. If you damaged something worth $100, your sentence will be much lighter than if you had damaged something worth $1,000. Thus, based on the dollar amount of the items which were damaged, you could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.

Why You Need a Lawyer for Criminal Mischief Charges

Graffiti often results in Criminal Mischief charges in Colorado.

We hope we have clarified the crime of Criminal Mischief a bit. If you have any questions about the details of this offense in Denver, Aurora, or Littleton, don't hesitate to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at our office. We offer a free initial consultation where we discuss the details of your case. We promise you will leave more informed about your situation than before. If you are facing Criminal Mischief charges after being accused, call us immediately. Don't try to decipher the law on your own. Working with an experienced criminal lawyer is priceless for your future.

Get Help Now

If you or a loved one is facing Criminal Mischief charges, don't hesitate to contact an attorney at the O'Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 303-830-0880, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.Request a Free Consultation

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