Criminal Damage to Property Defense Attorney

Criminal Damage to Property Charges in Louisiana 

Are you facing criminal damage to property charges in Louisiana? These are very serious charges that require a criminal defense attorney. If you are facing charges such as criminal damage to property, it’s crucial that you hire a firm that has extensive experience with such charges. Barkemeyer Law Firm is the best firm to handle these charges as well as a number of other charges too.

Criminal Damage To Property Defense Attorney Louisiana

At the Barkemeyer Law Firm, we have defended many clients with criminal damage to property charges in all areas of Louisiana, from Shreveport to New Orleans and many areas in between.  Our defense attorneys have seen many different fact scenarios when it comes to this charge. We know how to work out these cases to protect our clients from jail as well as their criminal record.

What Is Criminal Damage to Property?

This is a serious crime. This is where someone will cause damage or other problems to another person’s property. This is often done intentionally. This is considered a serious crime because another person’s property is important. It may not be yours. However, the damages that are done will not be left alone. The person who caused the damages may be forced to pay restitution to cover the damages that were done. 

Simple Criminal Damage to Property

This is where damage is done to a property without consent from the owner. This damage is also done to be malicious or there is intent to destroy the property. There are two types of criminal damage. This includes simple and aggravated. Let us talk about simple criminal damage. 

Simple criminal damage is where there is intentional damage to the property of someone else. This is done without consent of the property owner. If someone destroys the property using any means except explosions or fire, it will fall under simple criminal damage. 

Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property 

This is when there is intentional damage to property when it is foreseeable that human life might be endangered. Aggravated criminal damage to property may include the intent to damage property and the intent to injure someone on the property. 

Penalties 

Simple criminal damage may be considered either felony or misdemeanor charges. It will depend on the value of the damaged items on the property. The more you damage, the harsher your penalty will be. If you have destroyed enough property, you may face a felony. Keep in mind that all penalties will be lessened if it is a simple criminal damage instead of an aggravated criminal damage to property. 

1. If the damage is less than $1000, the person may face up to six months incarcerated. They may also face a one thousand dollar fine. In some instances, both a fine and prison sentence will be issued. 
2. If the damage is between $1000-50,000, there may be a fine of up to one thousand dollars. A sentence of 2 years is also applicable in this situation. You may also face both a fine and sentence. In this sentence, you may also face hard labor.
3. If there is more than fifty thousand dollars’ worth of damage, there is a fine of up to ten thousand dollars. You may also face a prison sentence of up to 10 years. In some cases, you will face both. This sentence may include hard labor. 

Restitution

The damage that was done to the property may have to be paid back. This is known as restitution. If the amount cannot be paid at the time of sentencing, you will talk to the judge. The judge will determine how much needs to be paid and when. They will work with the prisoner based on their economic status to help determine a payment plan. 

Criminal Damage to Property Defense

If you are charged with any form of criminal damage to property, you need to find a lawyer. You will need the best defense lawyers that you can find. That is where you call the Barkemeyer Law Firm. Their lawyers specialize in criminal damage to property. Taking the time to find the best lawyer will make your life easier. Plus, this is something you do not want on your record and having a lawyer will make saving your record easier. 

Take the time to educate yourself before anything happens. If you find that you are in a tough spot, contact Barkemeyer Law Firm. With the best defense lawyers available in Louisiana, there is something that can be done. This is especially true if you are innocent. You should not be facing any penalties if you have not done the crime. Contact us today to get the best legal advice around.