Everyone has dealt with a frustrating situation and sometimes, because we are all human, we overact. In the heat of the moment, situations can seem much worse than they actually are. I think the subject of today’s blog would support that belief, seeing as this man’s overreaction caused him to drive his truck through a hotel lobby. According to the news report, the 62 year old man had entered the hotel to stay for the night. He tried to use a debit card to pay for the room, but it was declined twice. He eventually paid with cash, but later found charges on his debit card. Angry, he drove his truck through the hotel lobby. He was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief for the property damage.
Property Damage / Criminal Mischief in Weld County
The Colorado law definition of Criminal Mischief – C.R.S. 18-4-501 – is:
Have you been charged with Criminal Mischief? Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today!
Have you been charged with Criminal Mischief? Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today!
Unfortunately for the man in the story above, the level felony or misdemeanor Criminal Mischief is charged at depends on the amount of damage caused in Weld, Morgan, or Logan County. I’m sure that driving into a hotel lobby caused extensive damage and the aggregate damage total will be very high – certainly at the felony level.
| Class of Weld County Crime | Aggregate Damage of Property Harmed in Weld County |
| Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief | Less than $300 |
| Class 2 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief | $300 to $749 |
| Class 1 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief | $750 to $999 |
| Class 6 Felony Criminal Mischief | $1,000 to $4,999 |
| Class 5 Felony Criminal Mischief | $5,000 to $19,999 |
| Class 4 Felony Criminal Mischief | $20,000 to $99,999 |
| Class 3 Felony Criminal Mischief | $100,000 to $999,999 |
| Class 2 Felony Criminal Mischief | $1,000,000 or more |
Based on the chart above, it’s likely the man will be charged with at least class 4 felony Criminal Mischief, if not the class 3 felony. This could mean a Weld County Jail sentence or serious prison time because of this man’s bizarre overreaction. He needs to contact a criminal defense lawyer who will have a mental health evaluation done and possibly lessen the severity of this charge. Other possible crimes include Attempted Vehicular Assault, Reckless Endangerment, and Felony Menacing
If you or someone you love has been charged with Criminal Mischief in Greeley, Evans, or Erie, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.
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