Criminal Mischief in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, criminal mischief refers to the intentional or reckless damage or property, including by graffiti. Criminal mischief occurs when a person intentionally or recklessly:
- Damages another person’s tangible property recklessly, or by negligence, using fire, explosives, or other dangerous means;
- Intentionally or recklessly tampers with another person’s tangible property so as to endanger person or property;
- Intentionally or recklessly causes another to suffer financial loss by deception or threat; or
- Intentionally damages another person’s real or personal property.
It is important to note that the damage caused does not have to be substantial or even expensive to repair. What matters is that the person’s reckless and/or intentional actions caused the damage.
If you have been charged with criminal mischief, contact an experienced property crime lawyer to discuss your case. Call Spivak Law Firm today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Criminal Mischief Grading in Pennsylvania
The punishment for criminal mischief depends on the grading of the offense. You may be charged with a low-level summary offense or a serious third-degree felony. The grading for criminal mischief in Pennsylvania is as follows:
- Summary: intentionally or recklessly causing financial loss under $500.00.
- Misdemeanor of the third degree: intentionally or recklessly causing financial loss of more than $500 or causing a loss of more than $150 by using graffiti.
- Misdemeanor of the second degree: intentionally causing financial loss of more than $1,000.
- Felony of the third degree: intentionally causing financial loss of more than $5,000, or causing a substantial interruption or impairment of public communication, transportation, supply of water, gas or power, or other public service.
If you have been charged with criminal mischief, contact an experienced property crime lawyer to discuss your case. Call Spivak Law Firm today at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Contact Our Pittsburgh Law Firm Today
Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390. Our Pittsburgh office is open during normal business hours, as well as evenings and weekends by appointment.
Spivak Law Firm represents clients in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Washington County and Westmoreland County. We accept cases in Armstrong County, Clarion County, Crawford County, Fayette County, Greene County, Indiana County, Lawrence County, Mercer County, Somerset County and Venango County.