Crimes that involved property damage in Florida are taken very seriously and come with severe penalties for those convicted of such an offense. Depending on the damage, you can be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Both of these charges can have debilitating implications on your social, professional and financial well-being and need to be met with an aggressive defense strategy developed by a qualified criminal defense attorney.
Melbourne Criminal Mischief Attorney
If you have been charged with criminal mischief then contact Mark Germain at Germain Legal in Brevard County, FL.
Our office is located in Melbourne, Florida and we proudly serve the surrounding communities of Palm Bay, Titusville, Rockledge, Merritt Island, Cocoa, and Satellite Beach in Brevard County, Vero Beach and Sebastian in Indian River County, Deltona and Dayton Beach in Volusia County, and Kissimmee and Poinciana in Osceola County.
Contact Germain Legal by calling (321) 775-3559 or submit an online form today to start building your defense.
Criminal Mischief under Florida Law
Criminal mischief essentially alleges the destruction of property belonging to another usually through vandalism.
The specific statute (§806.13) says that a person commits criminal mischief if he or she willfully and maliciously injures or damages by any means any real or personal property belonging to another, including, but not limited to, the placement of graffiti or other acts of vandalism.
The wording mentions that the act must be done wrongfully, intentionally, and without legal justification or excuse, and with he knowledge that the damage will occur to another person’s property.
Criminal Mischief Penalties under Florida Law
Florida Statute Section 806.13(5)(a) provides that if the amounts of value of damage to property owned by separate persons or if the property was damaged during one scheme or course of conduct then the value of all the property may be aggregated in order to determine the total value.
If the damage to the property is $1,000 or greater than then offense can be charged as a third degree felony which is punishable by up to 5 years in Florida State Prison and a five thousand dollar fine.
If the damage caused an interruption or impairment of a business operation or public communication, transportation, supply of water, gas or power, or other public service which cost $1,000 or more in labor and supplies to restore then the crime can be charged as a third degree felony.
If the damage to the property was greater $200 but less than $1,000 then the offense can be charged as a first degree misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
If the damage to the property was $200 or less then the charge is a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Enhanced penalties apply if the property damaged was a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship or any religious article contained therein. Additionally enhanced penalties apply if the defendant has ever been previously convicted of criminal mischief.
Lawyer for Criminal Mischief in Brevard County, FL
If you or a loved one is currently dealing with a criminal mischief charge in Florida, take the steps necessary to protect you name and freedom by working with the dedicated and professional criminal defense attorney team at Germain Legal.
With years of experience working on similar cases, Mark Germain can provide a knowledgeable and effective perspective to your defense while articulately arguing on your behalf in court.
Our office is located in Melbourne, Florida and we proudly serve the surrounding communities of Palm Bay, Titusville, Rockledge, Merritt Island, Cocoa, and Satellite Beach in Brevard County, Vero Beach and Sebastian in Indian River County, Deltona and Dayton Beach in Volusia County, and Kissimmee and Poinciana in Osceola County.
Contact Germain Legal by calling (321) 775-3559 or submit an online form today to start building your defense.
