Causing damage to another’s property is charged as Criminal Mischief in Fort Collins and Larimer County. Sometimes, when people get frustrated with something, they punch, throw, or break the item. It’s a pretty normal human reaction. However, when the item making you mad doesn’t belong to you, breaking it can result in criminal charges. A casino has reported that many (usually drunk) patrons have been arrested for property damage after breaking, punching, or raging on slot machines that weren’t giving them the results they wanted. In order to make sure the casino gets paid for the repairs, they call the police and let the criminal justice system handle things.
Fort Collins Criminal Mischief Lawyer: Definition of Criminal Mischief on Slot Machines in Boulder
The Larimer and Boulder County, Colorado law definition of Criminal Mischief – C.R.S. 18-4-501 – is:
“A person commits criminal mischief when he or she knowingly damages the real or personal property of one or more other persons, including property owned by the person jointly with another person or property owned by the person in which another person has a possessory or proprietary interest, in the course of a single criminal episode.”
Because the gamblers were caught (usually on surveillance video) damaging or even full on breaking the slot machines out of anger, they are facing this charge.
Sentence for Criminal Mischief on Someone’s Property – Slot Machine in Loveland and Estes Park
Criminal Mischief is charged as a misdemeanor or felony in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park depending on the amount of damage caused:
|
Class of Crime |
Aggregate Damage of Property Harmed |
| Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief | Less than $300 |
| Class 2 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief | $300 to $749 |
| Class 1 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief | $750 to $999 |
| Class 6 Felony Criminal Mischief | $1,000 to $4,999 |
| Class 5 Felony Criminal Mischief | $5,000 to $19,999 |
| Class 4 Felony Criminal Mischief | $20,000 to $99,999 |
| Class 3 Felony Criminal Mischief | $100,000 to $999,999 |
| Class 2 Felony Criminal Mischief | $1,000,000 or more |
This is where it is important to clarify the type of damage. You don’t want to be charged for replacing the whole slot machine if only the screen was cracked.
If you or someone you love has been charged with, arrested for, or accused of Criminal Mischief, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule your free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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