Criminal Mischief Charges in Dallas, TX
Some people take criminal mischief cases lightly, but that is a mistake. Property owners push police and prosecutors to take criminal trespass charges seriously and that can result in jail or even prison time, steep fines, and a permanent criminal record that can damage your reputation, career prospects, and future. If you or your loved one is facing a criminal mischief allegation or has been arrested or charged for criminal mischief in Dallas, you need an experienced Dallas criminal mischief lawyer in your corner.
Dallas Criminal Mischief Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been accused of criminal mischief in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas criminal mischief lawyer Mike Howard has the experience, trial skills, and dedication that you need when you are fighting for your life. We will do everything we can to fight for you. Moreover, Mr. Howard will give you an honest assessment of your case and explain the law and your legal options.
A Different Kind of Lawyer
We approach our clients differently than a lot of criminal defense lawyers in Dallas. Above all, our philosophy is that being a great lawyer is more than getting you a great result. First, our office is centered around you. This means we start by truly listening to you to understand your case and your goals. Further, our team works to provide you a client experience that is as easy and stress-free as possible. Answering your questions and keeping you informed is very important to us. Most importantly, we treat you as a person, not a number. Finally, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of lawyer you’ve come to the right place.
Our Criminal Case Process
Listen & Understand
We focus on clients as real people. First, we list to understand who you are and what you need. Then we make sure we fully understand the facts of the case.
Open Communication
We explain the law, your rights, and the legal process. Because communication is very important to us, we strive to quickly answer questions and return communication.
Fight for Justice
Simply put: we fight hard for you. In the courtroom, in negotiations, and before a case even is officially opened, we fight for justice for you.
What is Criminal Mischief in Texas
A person commits criminal mischief (Texas Penal Code § 28.03) if without the effective consent of the owner, they intentionally or knowingly:
- damage or destroys the tangible property of the owner. OR
- tamper with the tangible property of the owner and causes pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience to the owner or a third person. OR
- make markings, including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible property of the owner.
Related Charges
Criminal trespass and graffiti are similar offenses to criminal mischief. Criminal trespass occurs when a person enters or remains on someone else’s property without permission and after being notified that entry is forbidden or after being asked to leave and refusing to do so. Graffiti occurs when a person intentionally or knowingly marks someone else’s property without consent using paint, an indelible marker, or an etching or engraving device. This includes inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings.
Resources and Information
See our criminal defense resource center for more information on fundamental rights in a criminal case, definitions of culpable mental states (intentionally, knowingly, etc), defenses to prosecution, and more.
Penalties for Criminal Mischief
Like with theft offenses, the seriousness of criminal mischief charges is tied to the value (for theft offenses: value of the property stolen, for criminal trespass offenses: the value of the damage caused).
- Less than $100 is a Class C Misdemeanor. As a result, you could face a fine up to $500.
- $100 – $750 is a Class B Misdemeanor. As a result, you could face up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.
- $750 – 2,500 is a Class A Misdemeanor. As a result, you could face up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.
- $2,500 – $30,000 is a State Jail Felony. As a result, you could face 6 months – 2 years in the state jail facility and up to a $10,000 fine.
- $30,000 – $150,000 is a third-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2 – 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
- $150,000 – $300,000 is a second-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
- $300,000 or more is a first-degree felony. As a result, you could face 5 – 99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Defending Criminal Mischief Charges in Dallas
First and foremost, the prosecutor must prove their allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot rule out each and every possible reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence prevails. As a result, the court must find you not guilty. This means you don’t have to prove that you didn’t do it. You don’t have to prove anything!
The only way the prosecution wins is if the jury believes their story is the only reasonable way it could’ve happened. If they have any reasonable doubts that it actually happened, they must find you not guilty. If they reasonably think it could’ve happened another way, they must find you not guilty. This is the highest burden of proof in our justice system. When implemented by a skilled Dallas criminal mischief attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.
Choosing the Right Criminal Mischief Lawyer in Dallas
Searching for criminal mischief lawyers in Dallas can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands. You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Lawyers are supposed to always work in their clients’ best interest. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.
First, talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, to listen to what’s important to you, and answer your questions? Second, do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee? Third, beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you, who make big promises. No lawyer should ever make a guarantee about a case. Finally, absolutely avoid a lawyer who doesn’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly in a written contract.
What Makes Mike Howard Different
Many attorneys take advantage of their clients’ ignorance of the criminal justice process. We take the opposite approach. A knowledgeable client is a happy client. Therefore, we provide a wealth of information in the way of articles about criminal offenses, blog posts, and videos for free on our website.
Visit Our YouTube Channel for informational videos and client testimonials.
Visit Our blog for posts on cases, defenses, and criminal law information.
Dallas Criminal Mischief Attorney Mike Howard
Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. In Dallas innocent people can get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have a Dallas criminal mischief attorney fighting for them. I believe in standing up for people facing criminal accusations and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the criminal justice system.
Client-Centered
The cornerstone of my law practice is focusing on my clients as individuals. I start by taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need. Because I know the criminal justice system can be intimidating, I explain the process, their rights, and their options. Client communication is extremely important to me, so I make sure my team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages.
Willing to Fight
Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court. I have a track record of delivering fantastic results at trial. While not every client and case needs to go to trial, it can make a difference. When your Dallas criminal mischief attorney has a reputation as a skillful trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it makes all the difference in the world.
