

The degrees of criminal mischief each carry specific penalties as outlined in state criminal codes. Most states further divide the two classifications into subcategories, with first-degree being the most serious.

The laws governing the offense differ by state, however, all classify the crime as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the value of damage. Tampering with a grave Degrees of Criminal Mischief.Tampering with an emergency exit or alarm.Introducing a virus into someone’s computer.Graffiti on buildings, property, or vehicles.Other types of criminal mischief include: (6) Anyone who by any word, deed or act directly or indirectly urges, aids, abets, suggests or otherwise instills in the mind of another the will to so act shall be considered a principal in the commission of said crime and shall be punished in the same manner.Common criminal mischief examples including removal of paint on a vehicle, or breaking a window on a home or business. (5) For purposes of this statute, value shall be the cost of repair or replacement of the property damaged or destroyed. The value of property destroyed, disfigured or injured by the same party as part of a common crime against the same or multiple victims may be aggregated together and if the value exceeds One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00), shall be a felony. (4) In all cases restitution to the victim for all damages shall be ordered.

(3) If the value of the property destroyed, disfigured or injured is in excess of Five Hundred Dollars ($ 500.00), it shall be a felony punishable by a fine not exceeding Ten Thousand Dollars ($ 10,000.00) or imprisonment in the Penitentiary not exceeding five (5) years, or both. (2) If the value of the property destroyed, disfigured or injured is Five Hundred Dollars ($ 500.00) or less, it shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00) or imprisonment not exceeding twelve (12) months in the county jail, or both. (1) Every person who shall maliciously or mischievously destroy, disfigure, or injure, or cause to be destroyed, disfigured, or injured, any property of another, either real or personal, shall be guilty of malicious mischief.
