Sometimes, malicious injury to property in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a felony offense.
Here is what you might want to know about when malicious injury to property is chargeable as a felony and when it is chargeable as a misdemeanor.
Defining Malicious Injury to Property in Tulsa
Malicious injury to property is more than just a teenage prank. Defacing property is a crime in Oklahoma.
Malicious injury to property in Oklahoma is defined as deliberately injuring, defacing, or destroying another’s real or personal property. It can be charged as a misdemeanor if the damage done is less than $1,000 in value.
However, it is a felony offense when the damage is valued at $1,000 or more, or when the defendant has two or more prior convictions of malicious injury to property regardless of the amount of damage done. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1760
The law allows smaller acts of malicious injury to property to be aggregated in order to allow the prosecutor to charge the crime as a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
In order to be charged, the action must be deliberate rather than accidental.
Penalties for Malicious Injury to Property
The penalty for this crime is not specifically stated in the statute.
If charged as a misdemeanor, the crime is punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $500 or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 10
If you are convicted of a felony under this statute, you could face up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 9
In addition, the law allows the victim to bring a civil suit against the perpetrator and allows treble damages against the perpetrator. This is in addition to criminal fines and jail time.
Other Situations
Damaging another person’s vehicle, rigging the vehicle to use it for joyriding, or disturbing any of the vehicle’s parts is a misdemeanor. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 §§ 1787, 1788
Intentionally defacing or causing damage to a church or other house of worship is a felony. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1765
Intentionally defacing or taking a landmark is a misdemeanor. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1774
Intentionally causing damage to any public roadways or bridges is a felony. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1753
Whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony charge, you need the help of an experienced Tulsa criminal defense attorney. Call today to get the help you need.
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When you are facing charges of any kind, it is always better to do it with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Call for a free consultation with an experienced Tulsa criminal defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
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