What Counts as Criminal Mischief in Texas?

Criminal mischief is the legal term for any form of property destruction under Texas criminal law. This type of crime can include a vast array of acts; the damage could be either accidental or deliberate; it can be the result of some other type of dispute; or it can be an act all on its own. If you are facing a criminal mischief charge, it’s important that you know why you’re being charged with this crime and what consequences you are likely to face.

What Can Be Recognized as Criminal Mischief in Texas?

If you have been called to court on account of criminal mischief charges in Texas, the prosecution has reason to believe that you:

Purposely and/or knowingly damaged someone’s property
Purposely and/or knowingly tampered with someone’s property that resulted in further damage or inconvenience
Made written marks, graffiti, inscriptions, or drawings on someone’s property

What Are the Different Kinds of Criminal Mischief Charges?

Many criminal mischief charges are considered misdemeanors in the state of Texas, but the type of misdemeanor will depend on the specific circumstances of the offense and the value of damage that was done to the property.

Class C misdemeanor: your criminal charge could be a Class C misdemeanor if the damage done was valued less than $100 or caused a substantial inconvenience to others. This can lead to a $500 fine.
Class B misdemeanor: This type of misdemeanor will result in 180 days in jail and fines up to $2,000. Your criminal mischief charge could be a Class B misdemeanor if the damage done is valued between $100 and $750.
Class A misdemeanor: You could be facing a Class A misdemeanor if the damage done is valued between $750 and $2,500, and/or if your criminal mischief caused a significant interruption in any type of public service. This is punishable by up to one year in jail and up to $4,000 in fines.

If your criminal mischief damage is valued higher than $1,500, you could be facing a state jail felony charge. Fortunately, the Goolsby Law Firm criminal defense lawyers can expertly represent you in court and help you get the best outcome for your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Mike Goolsby

A veteran in both civil court cases and criminal defense, Mike Goolsby is a respected lawyer with more than 16 years of experience practicing law. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Texas in 1990, followed by his J.D. from the prestigious Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1994. After earning his law degree, Mr. Goolsby worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. As a trial lawyer, he was able to gain exceptional access to the criminal court system in this major metropolitan area, giving him immeasurable, distinct experience that helped him build a solid foundation for his own private legal practice. Mr. Goolsby went on to practice civil law for Maverick Acceptance Group, a venture capital company. Here, he gained invaluable knowledge of the civil side of the law, adding to his already diverse portfolio of legal expertise. In 1999, he opened the doors of The Goolsby Law Firm and has been successfully serving the residents of North Texas ever since. As an attorney, Mr. Goolsby combines his experience in both the civil and criminal fields to offer unmatched legal representation to his clients. With a long list of satisfied clients, Mr. Goolsby continues to build his practice through fair and aggressive legal defense.