Keyed a car, broke a window, tagged a wall — criminal mischief covers all of it, and just like theft, the dollar amount of the damage decides whether you’re facing a fine or a felony. A Houston criminal mischief lawyer can challenge how that number was calculated before it locks in your charge level.
How Texas Grades It by Damage Amount
- Class C misdemeanor: Under $100 in damage.
- Class B misdemeanor: $100–$749.
- Class A misdemeanor: $750–$2,499.
- State jail felony: $2,500–$29,999.
- Third-degree felony: $30,000–$149,999.
- First-degree felony: $300,000 or more.
Where the Numbers Get Challenged
Repair estimates are often inflated or based on full replacement rather than actual damage, and prosecutors sometimes aggregate unrelated incidents to reach a higher charge level. Whether you actually caused the damage intentionally or knowingly — rather than recklessly or accidentally — is frequently the real question in these cases.
Charged With Criminal Mischief? Contact Blass Law Now
Contact Blass Law for a confidential case evaluation or call (713)-664-4000 before the damage estimate goes unchallenged.