Property Damage Crimes

El Paso Property Damage Defense Lawyer

If you have been accused of causing any property damage, you could be in serious legal trouble. In Texas, property damage crimes can lead to time behind bars and expensive fines, and they create a criminal record that will make your life difficult.

Setra Law Firm P.C. is here to help you fight back. Our property damage defense attorney can help you understand your rights and your options. We are here to help protect your future.

Our firm has been serving the El Paso residents for years, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you.

To schedule a consultation with our property damage crime defense team, call our office today at (915) 221-9115. Se habla español.

Defining a Property Damage Crime in Texas

The state can charge you when it believes you damaged, destroyed, or defaced another person’s property. Texas can charge property damage crimes as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the property’s value.

What Is Criminal Mischief in Texas?

Often, property damage crimes are charged as "criminal mischief."

Acts of criminal mischief include:

Defacing or damaging someone else's property
Starting a fire and recklessly damaging someone's property
Tampering with someone’s property, causing a loss of value or use
Defacing someone else's property with chemical etching or an engraving substance
Defacing someone else's property with paint, an etching tool, or another marking device
Making markings (e.g., graffiti) on someone else's property that impair the property's value or usefulness

What Are the Penalties for Property Damage in Texas?

The penalties for property damage crimes depend on the specific offense and the value of the damage.

If you are charged with criminal mischief, the penalties are as follows:

For property damage valued at less than $100
Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500;
For property damage valued at $100 - $750
Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail; a fine of up to $2,000
For property damage valued at $750 - $2,500
Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail; a fine of up to $4,000
For property damage valued at $2,500 - $30,000
State jail felony punishable by 180 days to 2 years in state jail; a fine of up to $10,000
For property damage valued at $30,000 - $150,000
Third-degree felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in state prison; a fine of up to $10,000;
For property damage valued at $150,000 - $300,000
Second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in state prison; a fine of up to $10,000
For property damage valued at $300,000 or more
First-degree felony punishable by 5 years to life in state prison; a fine of up to $10,000.

In addition to the criminal penalties, a property crime conviction will also result in a criminal record. Simple background checks can make it difficult to find a job, secure housing, or obtain certain professional licenses.

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How to Defend Against Property Damage Charges

Remember, a criminal accusation is not the same as a criminal conviction. The authorities want you to believe you have no recourse, and they use this lie to get what they want from you. You always have a right to a defense, no matter the evidence against you.

There are a variety of defense strategies that may be available to you, depending on the specific circumstances of your case.

There is no one-size-fits-all defense to property damage charges. Our team will tailor its defense strategies to fit your situation. However, there are some common tactics that are effective in these cases.

Some of the most common defenses to property damage charges include:

Challenge Intent
Criminal mischief charges include an element of intent. They assume that the perpetrator willingly and knowingly damaged the property in question. We may be able to prove that, even though you did damage property, you did not do so on purpose.
Challenge the Evidence
There may be no evidence that the property was actually harmed, or it could have been damaged by someone else.
Challenging Your Knowledge
The prosecutor must prove that you knew that the property you were damaging belonged to someone else. If you can show that you did not know this, or you had a reasonable belief that you were allowed to damage the property, you may be able to avoid conviction.
Challenge the Property's Value
In some cases, the prosecutor may have difficulty establishing the value of the property damage. Doing so creates an unclear allegation. We may be able to exploit this poor evidence.

How Can Setra Law Firm P.C. Help?

Our attorney is here to help you understand the charges against you, the potential penalties, and what you can expect from the legal process. We can investigate the circumstances surrounding your charges, including the evidence against you, and help you build a strong defense.

If the evidence suggests that you did not cause the property damage, we can fight to have the charges dismissed. However, if there is strong evidence against you, we can work to negotiate a favorable plea agreement. These agreements can minimize the potential consequences.

When you choose our firm, you will get:

Personalized legal services from an experienced defense lawyer
Regular updates on the status of your case
Preparation for what you can expect next
Aggressive representation both in and out of the courtroom
A strong voice on your side that is committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome

Do not wait to secure the legal guidance you need. Contact our El Paso team online, and we can start working on your property crime defense case. Se habla español.

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Why Choose Setra Law Firm?

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When you choose Setra Law Firm, you'll have a highly skilled and experienced team on your side - and we fight to win.
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We give your case the care it deserves, taking the time to craft your legal strategy to fit your specific needs.
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We have a long history of winning for our clients, both in the courtroom and at the settlement table.
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El Paso's Partner in Justice Contact Us Today Get A Fearless Legal Team On Your Side

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Call Us Today (915) 221-9115

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