Remember the episode of The Office where Michael falls into the coy pond and lands on one of the fish, killing it. Well, luckily the fictional boss was only asked to pay to replace the fish. But in a real-life version of a similar event, a teen may be facing criminal charges after ending up in a Bass Pro Shops fish aquarium. Now, according to the news report, it was not an accidental fall into the tank, but instead an intentional jump as a prank. Another teen took a video of the prank, which did not go according to plan as the jumper hit his head on the rocks. Police investigators and Bass Pro Shops are still in the process of accessing any damage to the tank or fish that may have been a result of the prank. If it is determined that damage occurred, then the teen could be facing criminal charges for Criminal Mischief, a misdemeanor or felony crime in Greeley, Erie, and Evans.
Weld County Criminal Mischief Lawyer: What is the Definition of Criminal Mischief?
The Colorado definition of Criminal Mischief in Weld, Morgan, and Logan County – C.R.S. 18-4-501 – is:
Basically, anytime someone causes property damage to another person’s property, they could be facing this crime. It is often joined by a Domestic Violence enhancer, since spouses, live-ins and domestic partners tend to get into fights where the property of one party is damaged.
What is the Sentence for a Criminal Mischief Prank in Fort Morgan, Colorado?
Criminal Mischief can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the items damaged or the amount of damage caused:
- $0 – $299 worth of damage = class 3 misdemeanor
- $300 – $749 worth of damage = class 2 misdemeanor
- $750 – $999 worth of damage = class 1 misdemeanor
- $1,000 – $4,999 worth of damage = class 6 felony
- $5,000 – $19,999 worth of damage = class 5 felony
- $20,000 – $99,999 worth of damage = class 4 felony
- $100,000 – $999,999 worth of damage = class 3 felony
- $1,000,000 or more worth of damage = class 2 felony
It’s really hard to say what level charges the teen could be facing because the extent of the damage could be major or minimal. Suffice to say, he is at risk for a potentially large restitution award by the store. Imagine if the tank needed to be professionally drained and cleaned, or if some valuable fish died.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Criminal Mischief, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Greeley Criminal Mischief defense attorneys at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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