What Are the Consequences of Vandalism Charges in Tennessee?

While vandalism usually does not warrant the same degree of punishment as other crimes, it is still important to understand what is at stake if you face vandalism charges. Vandalism is defined as the intentional destruction or harm to another person’s property. Therefore, if you face charges for something that you did unwittingly or accidentally, you could potentially build a strong defense. If you are ever accused of defacing property, you should seek the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to develop your case and protect your rights.

Tennessee Vandalism Laws

Vandalism laws vary from state to state, but one of the distinctions in Tennessee law is that depending on the value of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the crime, vandalism can be a felony offense. However, most of the time, vandalism is a misdemeanor. We gave a brief idea of what ‘damaging’ a person’s property could be defined as, but there are a few more ways to define intentional property damage:

• Tampering with property or significantly inconveniencing an owner and causing financial loss

• Willfully pouring or spilling toxins into or onto merchandise to prevent its legal sale

• The destruction, contamination, or pollution of property

Typically, the severity of vandalism charges in Tennessee varies depending on the destroyed property’s value. The categories of punishments are as follows:

• Less than $500: Class A misdemeanor, up to one year in prison, up to $5,000 in fines

• $500-$1,000: Class E felony, 1-6 years in prison, fines up to $3,000

• $1,000-$10,000: Class D felony, 2-12 years in prison, up to $5,000 in fines

• $10,000-$60,000: Class C felony, 3-15 years in prison, $10,000 in fines

• Greater than $60,000: Class B felony, 8-30 years in prison, $25,000 in fines

Charges for vandalism are not limited to certain parties; anyone involved can be charged as an accessory to the crime. This means that even if it was not your idea to deface property but you did anyway, you could face the charges listed above. 

Contact a Jacksboro, TN Criminal Defense Lawyer

Many vandalism cases are straightforward and do not carry the same level of punishment as many other property laws. You can only face vandalism charges if you intentionally damage or contaminate another person’s property. If you need to defend your case in court or need assistance evaluating the value of the property damage to lessen potential charges, schedule a free consultation with a trustworthy criminal law attorney. Meet with the qualified Campbell County criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of William F. Evans by calling us today at 423-449-7980.

Source:

https://www.tn.gov/expunction/eligible-felonies.html