If I have been charged with 4th Degree Criminal Mischief and have no previous criminal record, what would my punishment most likely be?
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If I have been charged with 4th Degree Criminal Mischief and have no previous criminal record, what would my punishment most likely be?
Asked on November 13, 2011 under Criminal Law, New York
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Criminal mischief is the term is used to refer to the act of destroying or defacing another’s property (i.e. vandalism). There are 4 different levels of this crime. The least severe being Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree (although it is still a misdemeanor), a crime that deals with property damage that does not exceed $250 (e.g. painting of graffiti on buildings). It is punishable by up to 1 year in jail, as well as fines, probation and community service.
However, there are defenses to this charge. Also, there are alternative sentencing programs for first-time offenders that will leave you with a clean criminal record history. At this point, you should speak to a criminal law attorney in your area. They can more fully explain your rights.
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