Criminal Damage Charges – Chandler

Criminal Damage charges in Chandler can mean many things. The Arizona statute prohibiting criminal damage prohibits:

• Recklessly defacing or damaging property,
• Recklessly tampering with the property of another person so as substantially to impair its function or value,
• Recklessly damaging property of a utility,
• Recklessly parking any vehicle in such a manner as to deprive livestock of access to the only reasonably available water,
• Recklessly drawing a message, slogan, sign, or symbol on any public or private building without permission of the owner,
• Intentionally tampering with utility property.

Although most of the conduct prohibited above is relatively straightforward, the words “recklessly” and “intentionally” can be obscure. The term “recklessly” is defined in the Arizona criminal code as when an individual commits a criminal act and the “person is aware of and consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the result will occur or that the circumstance exists.” In Arizona, the reasonable person standard is used to determine this, and voluntary intoxication is not a defense to this state of mind.

The term “intentionally” is more direct, as defined in Arizona’s criminal code. It includes “with respect to a result or to conduct described by a statute defining an offense, that a person’s objective is to cause that result or to engage in that conduct.”

Penalties for Criminal Damage Charges in Chandler

The level of the offense charged for criminal damage can range from a class 4 felony to a class 2 misdemeanor. The level of the offense charged for criminal damage is generally associated with the cost of the damage done. For instance, damage caused by violating the statute between $1,000 and $1,999 is a class 6 felony and damage $250 – $999 is a class 1 misdemeanor.

If the damage caused amounts in less than $250, a class 2 misdemeanor would likely be charged. Class 5 felony charges are charged when an individual recklessly damages another individual’s property amounting between $2,000 – $9,999 or under specific provisions related to the promotion of gang activity.

Class 4 felony charges are charged when an individual recklessly damages another individual’s property amounting to $10,000 or more. Class 4 felony charges can also occur if an individual is arrested for tampering with utility property, and it either causes the damage of $5,000 or more or if the damage causes an imminent safety hazard to another person. It is also important to note that when calculating the damages caused by alleged reckless behavior for purposes of this law, the labor, material, and others might be calculated.

Contact a Criminal Damage Defense Attorney Today

Criminal damage charges in Chandler can be severe charges resulting in as much as prison time. If you are facing criminal damage charges, you must speak with an experienced and qualified attorney about your specific situation to determine whether or not you need representation. The Rosenstein Law Group is here for you 24/7. Call (480) 248-7666 for a free consultation.