Criminal Defense Attorney in Utah–Jake Gunter
UTAH PROPERTY CRIMES
The bulk of Utah’s property crimes are listed in the Utah Criminal Code at Utah Code Ann. 76-6-101. These include robbery, retail theft criminal mischief, arson, fraud, library theft, criminal trespass, and burglary to name a few.
Criminal Mischief:
Criminal Mischief is sort of a “catch all” bad conduct charge in some circumstances and has many defenses if you are charged. Criminal Mischief is like its cousin charge—Obstruction of Justice. You never quite know what it is, except you know you are now charged with it.
Utah law defines Criminal Mischief and its penalties as follows:
(1). Under circumstances not amounting to arson, damages or destroys property with the intention of defrauding an insurer; (THIRD DEGREE FELONY)
(2). Intentionally and unlawfully tampers with the property of another and as a result: (A) recklessly endangers human life (CLASS A MISDEMEANOR); or human health (CLASS B MISDEMEANOR) or safety; or recklessly causes or threatens a substantial interruption or impairment of any critical infrastructure (2ND DEGREE FELONY); or intentionally damages, defaces, or destroys the property of another; or recklessly or willfully shoots or propels a missile or other object at or against a motor vehicle, bus, airplane, boat, locomotive, train, railway car, or caboose, whether moving or standing.
Again, Criminal Mischief convictions will usually carry a restitution order which is non dischargeable in Bankruptcy and will impair your ability to expunge this conviction in the future.
