Tag Archives: criminal mischief charges

The Legal Consequences of Keying Up Someone’s Car

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Revenge is a dish best served cold, but what happens when the breakup is still fresh, and your heart is on fire? In the days following a breakup, it’s normal to feel hurt, angry, and vengeful. If your ex-person, whether best friend or lover, wronged you in any way, seeking revenge may seem like the perfect solution. But before you take drastic measures, stop to think about the consequences. Revenge can be damaging not only to your relationship with the person you’re seeking retribution against, but also to your own mental health.

This is especially true if you intend to key up someone’s car. Continue below to learn just how much trouble that could get you into, plus what to do if you have already be charged with criminal mischief for doing so.

To Reduce Your Criminal Mischief Charges in Indianapolis, Call 317-636-7514 Today!
To Reduce Your Criminal Mischief Charges in Indianapolis, Call 317-636-7514 Today!

Criminal Mischief Charges in Indiana

It is a crime in Indiana to key up someone’s car. The legal consequences of this offense can be serious, including jail time and expensive fines. If you are facing charges for keying up a car, it is important to understand the gravity of the situation and speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Keying up a car is a form of criminal mischief. Under Indiana law, criminal mischief is defined as knowingly or intentionally damaging another person’s property. The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the damage caused.

If the damage caused by keying up a car is less than $750, it is considered a Class B misdemeanor. The maximum penalty for a Class B misdemeanor is 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

If the damage caused by keying up a car is $750 or more, it is considered a Class C felony. The maximum penalty for a Class C felony is eight years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

In addition to the criminal penalties, a person who is convicted of keying up a car may also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim for the cost of repairing the damage. This can be devastatingly expensive.

How to Protect Yourself Against the Maximum Penalties

If you have been charged with keying up a car, it is important to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. An experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney can review your case and help you understand your options. Do not risk your future by trying to navigate the criminal justice system on your own.

Get your future and your freedoms aligned with success by protecting yourself after an arrest. Contact the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a meeting with our experienced Indianapolis criminal defense law firm. We can hold meetings over the phone or in person at our Indy-based office.

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The Laws Surrounding Graffiti Crimes in Indiana

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Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514

Graffiti can be quite stunning, but it can only be appropriate in the right setting. For instance, graffiti murals and paintings are a popular trend right now for commercial venues and businesses. But if graffiti is not welcomed, it becomes a legal issue. When a person graffiti’s public or private property, whether commercial or residential, they are committing a crime in the eyes of Indiana law. This type of graffiti is a form of property damage that falls under the crime of criminal mischief.

Criminal Mischief Charges

Criminal mischief is defined as “recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally causing damage or defacement to a property without their consent.” A person found guilty of such charges can face jail time, court fees, fines, and additional court-ordered penalties. But the extent of criminal charges for property damage offenses depends on the total value of damage. For instance, if a kid spray paints the side of a park bench, and the damage equals out to $200, the charges would be less serious; whereas, if a person graffiti’s an entire school playground and the damages add up to thousands of dollars, the criminal charges will be more serious.

Depending on the circumstances, a person facing criminal mischief charges for graffiti can be convicted of either a Level 6 Felony, Class A Misdemeanor, Class B Misdemeanor, or Class C Misdemeanor. Criminal mischief charges can be a Level 6 Felony if the damage was done to a school, church, community center, or a property adjacent to any of these, and the property damages are valued over $2,500. Criminal mischief charges can be a Class A Misdemeanor or Class B Misdemeanor if the property damages are valued less than $250.

It is important to retain the services of an experience criminal defense lawyer to increase your chances of reducing or dismissing charges and penalties for graffiti crimes.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense

David E. Lewis Criminal Defense Attorney

David E. Lewis Attorney at Law 317-636-7514

Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 to discuss your criminal mischief charges in Indiana. As an aggressive and experienced Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer, he will work around the clock to obtain a more favorable outcome for you. Schedule a free initial consultation to learn your options for criminal defense. Call 317-636-7514, today.