Being accused of vandalism in Denver is serious. Sometimes also referred to as "malicious destruction of property" or "malicious mischief," this crime relates to the damage of vehicles, real estate or personal property without the permission of the owner. If you are facing charges for vandalism, then you need an aggressive criminal defense attorney to work for you. The penalties for vandalism in Colorado are varied. A person convicted of this crime may be required to make restitution to the victim and to pay fines. Community service is frequently ordered, and the individual's driving privileges are likely to be suspended. In some of the more extreme cases, a term of incarceration in jail may be ordered. Clearly, the judge has quite a bit of latitude when it comes to deciding what kind of punishment is appropriate in each case. A first-time offender is more likely to receive a lighter sentence than someone who has been convicted of vandalism on previous occasions. How much damage was inflicted on the victim's property is also considered. Additionally, the judge may weigh the type of property that was damaged and where it was located. The amount of incarceration time will vary depending upon how much damage was done to the property. Damages amounting to less than $5,000 will probably be charged at the misdemeanor level and may result in no more than one year in jail. However, when the damage is valued at greater than $5,000, then the crime may be charged as a category E felony, which can carry a penalty of between one and four years in state prison. An experienced criminal defense attorney knows many strategies that can be used to fight vandalism and malicious mischief charges. It may be possible to prove that the defendant did not act willfully or to show that the defendant is not at all responsible for the damage. Contact a real estate attorney in Denver or visit rvmlawyer.com if you are victim to a crime, or a criminal defense attorney if you are facing charges. A conviction can turn your life upside down, but a good defense lawyer can protect your interests.
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