Criminal Mischief
Warren NJ Criminal Mischief Attorney
Criminal mischief is a relatively common violation. The charge can come in the form of a disorderly persons offense or as a felony (i.e. third or fourth degree crime) depending on the value of the property damaged. Our firm, The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, can help you defend this offense irrespective of the grade you are facing under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3. We have over 100 years of collective criminal defense experience, as well as many years serving as prosecutors, which equip us with the skills you need. Our team represents individuals charged with criminal mischief at the Superior Court and in municipal courts like those in Warren, Bound Brook, North Plainfield, Manville and Branchburg. If you were arrested anywhere on this charge, an attorney with the know-how you require is available immediately to assist you by calling our Bridgwater Office at 908-722-1011. Initial consultations with our lawyers are complementary.
Charged With Criminal Mischief
A conviction for violating N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3 results in a criminal record whether the offense stems from something as minor as a broken window. It is therefore in your best interests to avoid a guilty finding and our lawyers can help you accomplish this objective. The prosecutor must establish that you either: (1) intentionally damaged someone’s property or negligently caused this result through employment of fire, explosives or other dangerous means; or (2) knowingly or negligently tampered with another person’s property and in doing so created a risk of injury to person or property. We will contest the efforts of the state to prove you violated this law. This is extremely important because failure to effectively defend this charge results in significant penalties. Damage or destruction of property with a value of $2,000 or more is a third degree crime that carries up to five (5) years in prison and a $15,000 fine. When the loss exceeds $500 but is less than $2,000, the violation is a fourth degree crime resulting in a maximum of eighteen (18) months of incarceration and a $10,000 fine. Cases involving property damage of less than $500 are a disorderly persons offense that trigger the possibility of six (6) months in the county jail and a fine of $1,000. A defendant convicted under 2C:17-3 is also responsible for restitution to the victim.
Raritan Borough Criminal Mischief Defense Lawyer
It does not matter whether your matter is pending in juvenile court, at the county courthouse as part of a burglary case, or any other scenario, you need a skilled defense lawyer if you want to escape a record and rather serious consequences. Our staff of criminal attorneys make up one of the largest (if not the largest) defense firm statewide. We can also offer an abundance of experience handling criminal mischief cases in Raritan and other Somerset County municipalities, for example, Bedminster, Bernardsville, Green Brook and Montgomery.