ARS 13-1602 Criminal Damage

Criminal damage occurs when you recklessly damage, deface or tamper with the property of another person.  The seriousness of a criminal damage charge depends entirely on the amount of damaged caused.  For damage under $250, the offense is a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by probation, a fine, or even jail time. If the damage is $10,000 or more, it’s a class 4 felony, and opens you up to the possibility of going to prison.  Almost every criminal damage conviction will also include restitution, where you pay for the damage.

Criminal damage charges require a strategic defense that analyzes the criminal intent (or “mens rea”), scrutinizes the damage claim, and exposes witnesses for biases or motives to lie.  If you or a loved one are facing criminal damage charges, call BC Law Group to talk to an attorney with the skill and experience to fight these charges – and win.