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Criminal Mischief We can help:
Charged with Criminal Mischief in New Jersey? Don’t Let This One Mistake Destroy Your Future.
If you’ve been arrested or accused of Criminal Mischief in New Jersey, your freedom, your reputation, and your future are all on the line. This is not just a minor charge—it’s an offense that will leave you with a criminal record that can land you in jail and leave you with a permanent record and a limited ability to travel overseas for the rest of your life.
Don’t take chances with your life and Reputation let Attorney Aalsberg Fight Hard to Win, Reduce or Eliminate the Penalties you face. Put Attorney Aalsberg's 98% success rate to work for you and Fight Hard. From day one.
What Is Criminal Mischief in NJ?
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3, Criminal Mischief involves damaging or tampering with someone else’s property—whether it’s a car, building, public property, or even a utility line. It doesn’t matter if it was a stupid mistake, an accident, or a misunderstanding—the prosecution will come after you like you’re a vandal or a threat.
Common examples include:
- Smashing windows or property
- Keying or damaging vehicles
- Cutting utility lines or interfering with electrical equipment
- Destroying or defacing government-issued items (like license plates or signs)
- Spray painting or tagging public or private property
Even something as simple as pulling a prank or getting into an argument can spiral into a serious criminal charge. The damage to the item is the fair market value of the item not necessarily the price the owner or the store paid, so you don't get the wholesale price or the on-sale price when the value is determined by the court for the grade of the offense.
Is Criminal Mischief a Felony in New Jersey? Yes, Sort Of as it Can Be and would be if you're in another State.
Depending on the value of the damage or what type of property is involved, you could be facing:
- Disorderly Persons Offense: Damage under $500 (Still a criminal record!)
- Fourth-Degree Crime: Damage between $500 and $2,000 – up to 18 months in prison
- Third-Degree Crime: Damage over $2,000 or damage to public utilities – up to 5 years in state prison
You could also face felony charges if the alleged damage involves:
- Government property
- Public utilities or emergency services
- Schools, hospitals, or public transit
- Monitoring or surveillance equipment
*Note NJ does not have felony and misdemeanor charges, we just have disorderly persons and degree offenses, thus they all go on your criminal record. We have used the word felony here to simplify the grading for you. Due to this fact even the disorderly persons offense will give you a criminal record and is considered a criminal offense outside of NJ due to the fact that it is under NJ's criminal code.
The Penalties Are Real. So Are the Consequences for all grades of Criminal Mischief.
- Jail or prison time
- Thousands in possible fines and restitution
- Probation or community service
- A permanent criminal record that follows you for life
- Trouble getting jobs, loans, housing, or even a college education
- Trouble in traveling to foreign countries
The prosecutor doesn’t care about your side of the story. But we do—and we’ll make them hear it.
Possible Defenses to Criminal Mischief Charges in NJ:
With Attorney Aalsberg on your side all possible defenses will be considered some of which include:
- You didn’t do it (false accusations, mistaken identity)
- The damage was accidental—not intentional
- The property wasn’t actually damaged
- The property was yours—or you had permission to be there or use it
- The charges are overblown or unsupported by evidence
We’ve had charges dismissed, reduced, and even thrown out entirely. But it starts with taking action—now by calling 1-800-9-RIGHTS and setting up your free in office consultation to learn how Attorney Aalsberg can help you. Attorney Aalsberg has defended over 12,000 clients in the County and Municipal Courts of the State of New Jersey, puts his 98% success rate to Win, Reduce or Eliminate the penalties to work for you. The sooner you get started the more he can do to help you. The call at 1-800-9-RIGHTS is free but the results may be priceless.