Arizona Criminal Damage

Crimes against properties can carry just as harsh sentences as crimes against people. Arson is an especially serious offense. If you are facing serious felony charges like these, or you need to contact a skilled Arizona criminal attorney immediately. Even a misdemeanor offense can leave you with a permanent criminal record and serious difficulties.

A criminal damage charge can also be an element of a domestic violence offense of the damage is caused to someone in such a relationship to you. These cases nay also be prosecuted more aggressively. Call for a consultation on any criminal damage or destruction of property offense in Arizona.

Criminal Damage ARS 13-1602
There are several reasons you may be charged with criminal damage. The charge of criminal damage may be applicable if you:
• deface or damage property of someone else
• tamper or alter the property of someone else so that it impairs the function or value
• tamper with the property of a utility (water, electric services)
• graffiti on any public or private building without the owner’s consent.

The potential sentence you may be facing depends on the value of the property that was damaged…
If the value of the property is:
• $10,000 or more -- Class 4 Felony -- up to 2.5 years prison. 
• $2,000 -$10,000 -- Class 5 Felony -- up to 1.5 years prison.
• $250 – $2,000    -- Class 6 Felony -- up to 1.0 year in prison
                                 Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to 4 months in jail.

If the damaged property is a utility, you are facing a class 4 felony charge with a potential sentence of 2.5 years in prison.

Aggravated Criminal Damage ARS 13-1604
What makes criminal damage “aggravated” is the structure that was damaged. Some structures are seen as more sacred than others and those are included under the heading of aggravated criminal damage. Those structures include:
• A church or place used for worship or other religious purposes
• A school or other educational facility
• Any cemetery, mortuary, or structure used for memorialization of the dead
• Any construction, utility, or agricultural site damaged with the purpose of obtaining metals.

If you are found guilty of aggravated criminal damage you are facing some serious potential sentences. If the value of the damaged property is:
• more than $10,000 --  Up to 3.5 Years Prison.
• $1,500- $10,000     --  Up to 2.5 Years Prison.
• less than $1,500     --  Up to 1.5 Years in Prison.