Mischief conjures images of adolescents or teens defacing car windows with soap, or throwing toilet paper over stretches of trees in a park or on school property during Halloween. Criminal mischief, however, consists of acts of vandalism that damages private and public property and includes the placement of graffiti, despite some graffiti that many consider true artistic accomplishments.
All criminal offenses consist of elements, or certain acts, that must be proved by the prosecution or state by the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt. Criminal mischief is found under 806.13 of the Florida Statutes. Its elements are:
Element of Intent
The definition of “willfully or maliciously” seems to be self-evident but they mean, respectively, knowingly or intentionally and without legal justification or excuse.
Unlike other crimes that require specific intent to injure a person or damage property, this offense is one of general intent. All the prosecution needs to prove is that you committed an intentional and purposeful act with the knowledge that it could result in damage to property, and which resulted in such damage.
Element of Damage to Property
To successfully prosecute you, the state must prove that your malicious act actually damaged property. If you damage a vehicle that is already burned out and beyond repair or is not usable for spare parts, the prosecution would find it difficult to prove you damaged something that was already worthless.
Penalties and Sentencing for Criminal Mischief
Whether you commit a felony or a misdemeanor for violating Florida’s criminal mischief statute depends on the amount of damage inflicted:
The court will impose a fine for the placement of graffiti as follows unless it determines you are unable to pay:
Minors and Criminal Mischief Offenses
Minors who commit vandalism or paint or draw graffiti, usually on public buildings or on the sides of trains, on public walkways or private property, are subject to certain civil penalties. Under Florida law, the parents of the minor who commits an act of graffiti is liable along with the minor for the fine indicated herein, unless the court finds that the minor or parents are indigent or are otherwise unable to pay the fine.
If the minor is eligible for a driver’s license, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will revoke or suspend the minor’s driver’s license for up to one year. When the minor does become eligible for a driver’s license, he or she must wait for up to one year after the date on which the minor becomes eligible.
A minor who needs a driver’s license for employment or medical purposes will be ordered to perform community service and have the suspension or revocation period reduced by one day for each hour of service performed. A minor can also elect to have the license revocation or suspension period reduced by the same rate of service.
For minors, the juvenile court could also order probation and require the minor to not commit any further acts of vandalism or graffiti, to attend school or remain employed or any other condition in return for dismissing the charge. If a condition is violated, the juvenile might be ordered to detention. In aggravated cases, a minor faces possible felony charges.
Our firm is committed to keeping our site accessible to everyone. We welcome feedback on ways to improve the site’s accessibility.
With decades of combined legal experience, Cowhey + Ward brings an unprecedented depth of expertise and passion in the representation of their clients.
© 2023 COWHEY + WARD LLC
The decision to hire an attorney should not be based solely on advertising. Each individual will have a unique legal situation.The materials on this WEBSITE/VIDEO should not be construed as legal advice for your particular situation.
Powered by Moxxi Marketing