Criminal Mischief Criminal Defense Attorneys in Columbus Ohio
The possible penalties for Criminal Mischief can be severe. Criminal Mischief is a 3rd degree misdemeanor, which carries a maximum of 60 days in jail. However, if a criminal mischief violation creates a risk of physical harm to any person, then it is a 1st degree misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of 180 days in jail. If you or a close loved one has been charged with criminal mischief or any other criminal charges in Columbus or the greater central Ohio area, then you need a criminal defense attorney. The best time to hire a criminal defense attorney is before your first hearing, the arraignment. Evan T. Engler is an experienced criminal defense attorney and partner at the Columbus, Ohio based law firm of Harris & Engler. You can speak to Evan T. Engler today by calling (614) 610-9988.Columbus City Code 2309.07 - Criminal Mischief
The criminal offense of "criminal mischief" is definited in the Columbus City Code. Columbus City Code Section 2309.07 provides as follows:(A) No person shall:
(1) Without privilege to do so, knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy, or otherwise improperly tamper with the property of another;
(2) With purpose to interfere with the use or enjoyment of property of another, employ a tear gas device, stink bomb, smoke generator, or other device releasing a substance which is harmful or offensive to persons exposed, or which tends to cause public alarm;
(3) Without privilege to do so, knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy, or otherwise improperly tamper with a bench mark, triangulation station, boundary marker, or other survey station, monument or marker;
(4) Without privilege to do so, knowingly move, deface, damage, destroy, or otherwise improperly tamper with any safety device, the property of another, or the property of the offender when required or placed for the safety of others, so as to destroy or diminish its effectiveness or availability for its intended purpose;
(5) With purpose to interfere with the use or enjoyment of the property of another, set a fire on the land of another or place personal property that has been set on fire on the land of another, which fire or personal property is outside and apart from any building, other structure, or personal property that is on that land.
(B) As used in this section, "safety device" means any fire extinguisher, fire hose, or fire axe, or any fire escape, emergency exit, or emergency escape equipment, or any life line, life-saving ring, life preserver, or life boat or raft, or any alarm, light, flare, signal, sign, or notice intended to warn of danger or emergency, or intended for other safety purposes, or any guard railing or safety barricade, or any traffic sign or signal, or any railroad grade crossing sign, signal, or gate, or any first aid or survival equipment including automated external defibrillation devices, or any other device, apparatus, or equipment intended for protecting or preserving the safety of persons or property.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of criminal mischief, a misdemeanor of the third degree. If a violation of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person, criminal mischief is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(D) This section shall not apply if the property involved in violation of this section is an aircraft, an aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, spare part, fuel, lubricant, hydraulic fluid, any other equipment, implement, or material used or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft, or any cargo carried or intended to be carried in an aircraft and if the violation creates a risk of physical harm to any person or if the property involved in a violation of this section is an occupied aircraft.
