Criminal Mischief Defense Lawyer in Hudson County NJ
Criminal mischief can stem from countless situations. However, in Jersey City, the two most common situations in which an individual finds themselves charged with criminal mischief are when they are spray painting / vandalizing property of another or when something gets broke during a domestic dispute. With that being said, the offense of criminal mischief is usually associated with the charge of burglary, simple assault or trespassing. Our team of Hudson County, New Jersey criminal mischief attorneys are prepared to fight to defend your liberty. The governing statute in New Jersey for criminal mischief is N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3. As you will see below, an individual convicted of criminal mischief can face up to ten years behind bars, a criminal conviction, community service, high fines and restitution, if applicable. The team of defense attorneys at the Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall has over 100 years of combined experience on staff. We have been defending individuals charged with Hoboken, Jersey City, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Bayonne or Kearny for over fifteen years. If you have been charged with the offense criminal mischief, simple assault, the unlawful possession of marijuana or burglary, the Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall can help. If you have any further questions with regards to the offense of criminal mischief, or any other offenses for that matter, please contact our Jersey City office directly at (201) 309-1800 for a free initial consultation. Now here is some key information with regards to the offense of criminal mischief.
Jersey City, NJ Criminal Mischief Lawyers: N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3
As stated above, the governing statute in New Jersey for criminal mischief is N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3. As you will see by reading the key elements of the offense of criminal mischief, the legislature purposely left the statute vague to encompass a wide array of conduct. To be convicted of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:
- Purposely or knowingly damaged the property of another; or
- Recklessly or negligently damaged the property of another by engaging in dangerous activities (i.e. fire); or
- Purposely, knowingly, or recklessly tampered with the property of another as to endanger another person or property.
As you can tell from the statute, the applicable conduct to be convicted of criminal mischief can be almost anything. With that being said, their are several key arguments that an experienced Jersey City, NJ criminal mischief lawyer can make in your defense. If you would like a free initial consultation about your pending criminal mischief charge, please contact our Jersey City office directly at (201) 309-1800.
What am I facing if I am convicted of Criminal Mischief in NJ?
The offense of criminal mischief can be either a disorderly person offense, a fourth, third or a second degree felony. Depending on what degree of criminal mischief you are charged with will dictate the potential penalties that you are facing. Here is a break down:
- Disoderly Persons Offense: Property Damage was under $500
- Up to Six Months in Hudson County Jail & Fined up to $1,000
- Fourth Degree Felony: Property Damage was more than $500 but less than $2,000
- Up to Eighteen Months in State Prison & Fined up to $10,000
- Third Degree Felony: Property Damage was more than $2,000
- Up to Five Years in State Prison & Fined up to $15,000
- Second Degree Felony: Property in question is considered public services & the damage caused a death
- Up to Ten Years in State Prison & Fined up to $150,000
In New Jersey, the legislature has created two potential diversionary programs to help afford defendants the opportunity to walk away from otherwise life changing charges without a criminal record. For more information on these options, including whether or not you can take advantage of either of these programs, please contact our office at (201) 309-1800.
Jersey City NJ Criminal Mischief Lawyers:
The Law Office of Jonathan F. Marshall has been defending individuals charged with criminal mischief, harassment, aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, burglary and simple assault, in Hudson County, New Jersey for over fifteen years. If you have been charged with criminal mischief, in Jersey City, you need to speak to a criminal mischief defense attorney immediately about your options. The team of eight criminal defense attorneys on staff at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall will aggressively attack the proofs in your case. Our attorneys fully understand what a criminal conviction can do to a defendant’s life. If you or a loved one has been charged with simple assault or criminal mischief in Hudson County NJ, and would a free consultation about your pending charges, please contact our Jersey City office directly at (201) 309-1800.
