Defense Against Criminal Mischief in Middlesex County

In New Jersey, criminal offenses that involve the damage or destruction of property are charged under criminal mischief. These offenses include committing acts of vandalism, tampering with property, removing property, and damaging property. As the definition of criminal mischief is broad, many different types of conduct can fall under this category, and the penalties can range from small fines to lengthy prison sentences. Regardless of the severity of the offense, a criminal mischief conviction can result in a damaging criminal record and serious consequences for your personal and professional future.

The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team understands how to navigate criminal mischief charges and appreciates the severity of the consequences that can follow even minor offenses. Our Team has many years of experience helping our clients contest criminal mischief charges and will work tirelessly to craft the strongest possible defense aimed at preventing a criminal record from disrupting your future. If you find yourself facing accusations of criminal mischief in Middlesex County, don't wait. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out our confidential consultation form now.

Criminal Mischief Offenses in New Jersey

The New Jersey criminal code defines criminal mischief broadly as applying to a person who:

“(1) Purposely or knowingly damages tangible property of another or damages tangible property of another recklessly or negligently in the employment of fire, explosives or other dangerous means [...] or

(2) Purposely, knowingly or recklessly tampers with tangible property of another so as to endanger person or property, including the damaging or destroying of a rental premises by a tenant in retaliation for institution of eviction proceedings.”

As noted in the statute, criminal mischief charges commonly follow landlord-tenant disputes, where the tenant causes damage to a property before they leave. It is also important to note that in certain circumstances, criminal mischief charges can result when one acts recklessly or negligently. This means that you could be charged with criminal mischief even if you did not intend to cause property damage but simply rather tampered with another person's property and disregarded a substantial risk or should have been aware of that risk.

The specific penalties that come with criminal mischief convictions depend on the severity or grade of the particular offense. The grading of criminal mischief charges varies from disorderly persons offenses to second-degree felony offenses, and penalties range from small fines and community service to very large sums of restitution and prison time.

Criminal Mischief and Property Crime in Middlesex County

Criminal mischief is considered a property crime in New Jersey, making these charges common in connection with burglary and trespassing offenses that result in property damage. Since the pandemic, the state has seen an overall increase in instances of property crime. In fact, the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program documented an increase from 124,280 reported offenses in 2022 to 133,141 in 2023. In response, the state government has enacted steeper penalties for crimes like residential burglary, which increases potential jail time and allows juveniles in certain circumstances to be charged as adults.

This new legislation is part of efforts by the New Jersey government to deter potential offenders from committing property crimes. If you find yourself facing charges for a property crime like criminal mischief, the last thing you want is to find yourself facing harsh penalties, like serious jail time, as part of deterrence efforts. The experienced Criminal Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can defend your rights throughout the criminal process, putting your best defense forward and helping you to move on with your life without the weight of a serious criminal record.

Grading Criminal Mischief Offenses in Middlesex County

Criminal mischief charges are graded based on severity. In less severe cases, where the resultant property damage costs no more than $500, criminal mischief charges are graded as disorderly persons offenses.

In instances where the property damage exceeds $500 in pecuniary loss but does not yet reach $2,000, the accused will be charged with a fourth-degree criminal mischief offense. You can also be charged with criminal mischief in the fourth degree if you tamper with airport or other aviation property or if you tamper with public service equipment such as gas and water pipes or telephone poles and cables.

A person will be charged with third-degree criminal mischief if they intentionally cause property damage of $2,000 or more. Additional actions that fall under third-degree criminal mischief include causing damage or disruption to research property or a research facility, as well as tampering with a grave or other place where human remains are stored. Furthermore, if a person's tampering with aviation or public service equipment results in property damage or bodily injury, the offense is considered in the third rather than the fourth degree.

Second-degree offenses, the most severe form of criminal mischief offenses, are reserved for circumstances where the accused has conducted property damage or tampering that recklessly causes death. This includes the impairment or interruption of essential public services that recklessly results in a death.

Criminal Mischief Penalties in Middlesex County

Accordingly, the penalties for criminal mischief offenses depend on their degree. It is important to understand that while you may consider disorderly persons offenses minor, they still carry cumbersome penalties such as fines of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. Furthermore, convictions for disorderly persons offenses will still land you with a criminal record and prevent you from securing certain professional licenses and employment opportunities.

Fourth-degree criminal mischief defenses come with more serious penalties, such as fines up to $10,000 and up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison. Penalties for third-degree offenses are increased to up to $15,000 and three to five years in prison. Finally, and most severely, second-degree offenses can carry penalties of up to $150,000 in fines and up to 10 years in state prison. Regardless of the degree or resulting penalties, criminal mischief charges can leave you with a damaging criminal record that will follow you into the future.

Criminal Mischief Student Defense in Middlesex County

Criminal mischief offenses are common on college campuses as these offenses, commonly referred to as vandalism, can include graffiti offenses and other acts associated with activism. In fact, as these crimes have increased on college campuses in recent years, Middlesex County colleges and universities often encourage local law enforcement to charge accused students with criminal mischief offenses in addition to carrying out school board hearings and proceedings internally. In some cases, schools might have a legal obligation to report and punish crimes that occur on campuses, but many universities also elect to encourage criminal charges for such offenses in order to uphold their institutional reputation. Additionally, actors involved in criminal mischief offenses on college campuses may face a higher likelihood of being detected and arrested as a result of the heightened security on college campuses, which are often better equipped with cameras and security personnel than off-campus spaces.

Given these facts, as well as the institutional interest of universities to pursue criminal charges against offenders, actors accused of criminal mischief and in need of college student criminal defense in Middlesex County require experienced attorneys who can navigate the complexities of criminal mischief defense as it pertains to college campuses and university property. The Lento Law Criminal Defense Team has many years of experience defending college students facing criminal mischief charges in Middlesex County and can help you navigate this often daunting criminal process.

Your Resources for Criminal Mischief Defense in Middlesex County

If you have been arrested or charged with criminal mischief in Middlesex County, it is critical that you reach out to the Lento Law Firm as soon as possible. Our Criminal Defense Team has the years of experience necessary to craft you a strong defense that maximizes your chances of having your charges reduced or dropped. Regardless of the type of offense or degree of criminal mischief charge, the Lento Law Firm will ensure that your rights are protected and will fight to reach the best possible outcome for your case. Our Team understands the severity of criminal mischief charges as well as the complexities involved in navigating criminal proceedings in Middlesex County on and off college campuses.

Even if you believe that you are wrongly accused or that your offense was minor, it is important that you do not try to go at it alone. Early intervention by our experienced Criminal Defense Team can make a major difference in the eventual outcome of your case, protecting you from facing overly harsh consequences, serving significant jail time, and obtaining a disruptive criminal record that will follow you into the future. With stakes this high, you need an experienced Criminal Defense Team behind you. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form and tell us about your case.

​​​Contact The Lento Law Firm Today

When it comes to criminal defense cases, you need the right person in your corner. To learn more about how Mr. Lento can help you, call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. or contact him online.

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