Criminal Mischief is charged at the Larimer County Courts whenever one person knowingly damages another’s property. In Colorado, Criminal Mischief is one of the most frequently charged crimes, coming in second behind Motor Vehicle Theft and related offenses. According to the report, Criminal Mischief and other crimes related to public peace comprised 15% of offenses charged in 2023. Yet for how common it is to be charged with this crime, it can still result in hefty consequences if you are convicted of this charge. Depending on the dollar value of the property that was damaged, it can even be a felony offense.
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Blog Navigation: 1. Larimer County Court Definition of Criminal Mischief, C.R.S. 18-4-501 2. What if I Owned the Damaged Property with Another Person in Loveland and Estes Park? |
1. Larimer County Court Definition of Criminal Mischief, C.R.S. 18-4-501
The Larimer County Court 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.
Criminal Mischief is charged any time a person knowingly damages another person’s property. Vandalism, egging another person’s house, and even digging up your neighbor’s flowers would all be charged as Criminal Mischief. However, you can also be charged if you damage property that belongs to both you and another person.
2. What if I Owned the Damaged Property with Another Person in Loveland and Estes Park?
If you jointly own a piece of property with another person in Loveland and Estes Park, you will be charged with Criminal Mischief if you damage that property. Colorado law states that “real or personal property of one or more other persons” includes any property in which another person is involved. In other words, if a person has a possessory or proprietary interest, or shares ownership of the property with you, then you will be charged with Criminal Mischief if you damage it. We often see this situation in Domestic Violence cases. If you break something while fighting with your significant other in the home that you own with your wife or husband, then you can be charged with Criminal Mischief as an act of Domestic Violence.
3. Misdemeanor vs. Felony Criminal Mischief in Fort Collins | Larimer County Jail Time and Other Penalties
Whether Criminal Mischief is charged as a misdemeanor or felony in Fort Collins depends on the aggregate value of the property that was damaged. Larimer County Jail time and other penalties for a conviction of Criminal Mischief are outlined in the table below:
Aggregate Value |
Classification |
Penalties |
| Less than $300 | Petty offense |
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| $300 – $1,999 | Misdemeanor |
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| $2,000 or more | Felony |
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If you have been charged with Criminal Mischief, don’t wait to contact a top criminal defense lawyer today. Accusations of property damage are serious, and your criminal record could leave a stain on your career, personal reputation, and finances. Call us today to discuss your case and how we can help you maintain your future and freedoms through representation at the Larimer County Courts.
Have you been charged with Criminal Mischief? Be smart, and exercise your right to stay silent. Then get in contact with a top criminal defense lawyer with decades of experience at the O’Malley Law Office today at 970-658-0007 to talk about your case. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Larimer County Courthouse is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Wendelin Jacober