Vandalism calls always spike a little during Halloween, but they are also pretty common at any point in the year. Regardless of whether you’re slashing the tires on your cheating ex-boyfriend’s truck or simply pulling a “harmless prank,” you can be charged with a crime if you damage someone else’s property without their consent. Today, we take a closer look at the different degrees of vandalism in Minnesota, and the penalties associated with each.
Vandalism Crimes in Minnesota
Vandalism to someone else’s property is actually charged under the larger crime of criminal damage to property. There are three different degrees of criminal damage to property in Minnesota.
1st Degree Criminal Damage to Property – This is the most serious of the three degrees. You can be charged with first degree criminal damage to property if you intentionally damage someone else’s property without their consent, and any of the following conditions are involved:
- The damage involved a reasonable risk of bodily harm.
- The property damaged is owned by a utility company and damage impairs service to the public.
- The damage reduces the value of the property by $1,000.
- The damage reduces the value of the property by $500 and you have a prior criminal damage to property conviction.
A first degree criminal damage to property charge carries the potential penalty of up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
2nd Degree Criminal Damage to Property – You can be charged with second degree criminal damage to property if you intentionally damage someone else’s property because of their race, sexual orientation, religion, sex, disability or national origin. This charge is typically reserved for vandalism that is classified as a hate crime.
A second degree criminal damage to property charge is punishable by up to one year and a day in prison and fines up to $3,000.
3rd Degree Criminal Damage to Property – Third degree criminal damage to property is the most common charge for vandalism and other actions that result in property damage. If you intentionally cause damage to another person’s property and you cause less than $1,000 worth of damage, odds are you’ll find yourself facing charges of third degree criminal damage to property.
A third degree criminal damage to property charge in Minnesota is considered a gross misdemeanor offense, and is punishable by up to one year in jail and fines of not more than $3,000.
Minnesota also has a fourth degree criminal damage to property charge for even lesser instances of intentional property damage, which is a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $1,000, but the charge is not used all that often.
So if your teen is caught egging a house or TP’ing the principal’s house tonight and they end up in handcuffs, give Avery Appelman and the experienced vandalism lawyers at Appelman Law Firm a call. We will be answering our phone all through the night, so don’t be afraid to reach out at odd hours. You can call us at (952) 224-2277.
