Under Michigan law, it is a crime to intentionally and maliciously damage someone else’s property. This crime, known as malicious destruction of property, or MDOP, can result in a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the extent of the damage, the criminal history of the alleged offender, and other circumstances associated with the charge. Furthermore, if you allegedly damage police or fire department property, school buses, bridges, or water structures, you may be looking at a felony.
Due to the elevated and severe penalties associated with this crime, it’s critical to contact an esteemed and experienced Michigan property destruction attorney. With the help of the criminal defense lawyers at Grabel & Associates, you are ensured comprehensive communication with your attorney as well as a vigorous, thorough criminal defense. By defending you, our main objective is to achieve dropped or dismissed charges, an innocent verdict, or, if the evidence is truly stacked against you, a reduced or alternative sentencing. If you’ve been charged with this crime, don’t hesitate and contact the leading property destruction defense attorneys in Michigan. Call Grabel & Associates today at 1-800-342-7896. Free consultations are available.
Malicious destruction of property is found in the Michigan Penal Code in § 750.377a, and it describes the conditions of punishment for a criminal violation (whether the alleged crime was a misdemeanor or felony). In essence, the courts may view defendants in the following ways:
In addition to malicious destruction of property, you can also be charged with other violations depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense, such as:
The most serious type of malicious destruction of property involves extensive and costly damage. For instance, if any of the following apply, you will face a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $15,000 or three times the value of the damage, whichever is greater.
For damaging between $1,000 and $20,000, and if you have a prior conviction, you could be looking at a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines as much as $10,000 or three times the value of the property damage, whichever is greater.
The courts and prosecution consider both the value of the property and the defendant’s criminal history. However, if the value of the property is less than $1,000, and you have no prior convictions, you will most likely be looking at a misdemeanor. If the value of the property is between $200 and $1,000, or less than $200 but you have a prior conviction, then your misdemeanor can include up to a year in jail and fines up to $2,000 or three times the value of the damage, whichever is greater.
For destroying less than $200 worth of property, and with no prior convictions, you may face up to 93 days in jail and fines up to $500 or three times the amount of the damage, whichever is greater.
Malicious destruction of property is taken very seriously in Michigan courts, and defendants can face little leniency, especially if the defendant was a multiple offender and the value of the damage was high. Nonetheless, with the help of experienced criminal defense attorneys, you can present a vigorous defense with the goal of achieving dropped or dismissed charges, an innocent verdict, or a reduced or alternative sentencing.
If you were charged with malicious destruction of property, don’t hesitate and contact your defense lawyers at Grabel & Associates. Free consultations are available, and the sooner we can get started on your case, the better.