People generally think of Criminal Mischief (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3) as a property crime in New Jersey, but the truth is that there are circumstances under which it can be a deadly serious charge. There are three distinct sets of conduct specified in the law. If they result in a person’s death, it will prompt a second degree charge of Criminal Mischief, which can send you to prison for five to ten years, result in fines of up to $150,000, and leave you open to civil litigation for wrongful … [Read more...]

Being charged with second degree criminal mischief is a serious obstacle. Criminal Mischief (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3) is usually thought of as a form of property crime, and is often charged as a disorderly persons offense in municipal court. This is comparable to a misdemeanor in other states. There are, however, three circumstances spelled out in the law where Criminal Mischief will be charged as a high level felony (felonies in New Jersey are called ‘indictable offenses’), as spelled out … [Read more...]

Broadly defined, Criminal Mischief (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3) in New Jersey is the crime of purposely or knowingly damaging another person’s property, recklessly damaging another person’s property through the use of fire or explosives, or tampering with another person’s property in a way that endangers people or property. The statute also specifies that a tenant who damages or destroys a rental property in retaliation for eviction proceedings is committing Criminal Mischief. The crime can be … [Read more...]

New Jersey’s domestic violence law creates an additional layer of protection for certain categories of victims of certain qualifying crimes. What To Expect If You've Committed A Qualifying Offense Such As Criminal Mischief Basically, if you commit a qualifying offense like Criminal Mischief (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3) against a person like a spouse or ex-spouse, someone you share a child with, a roommate or former roommate, or a girlfriend or boyfriend, you will be charged with a domestic violence … [Read more...]

In New Jersey, one of the ways that damage or tampering with another person’s property is punished is through the charge of Criminal Mischief (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3). In a Criminal Mischief case, the prosecution alleges that you purposely or recklessly damaged another person’s property, or that you tampered with another person’s property in a way that poses danger to them or their property. The severity of the potential criminal mischief penalties are scaled to the value of the property in … [Read more...]

Criminal Mischief in New Jersey (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3) is a charge related to property damage caused either through recklessness or a purposeful and knowing act. This can happen in a number of ways, from a domestic dispute where an angry spouse breaks the other’s cell phone, to a standard fight where one party damages another’s property. Tampering with another person’s property in a way that poses a risk to them or their property also falls under the Criminal Mischief umbrella in New … [Read more...]