If you pay attention while driving around Castle Rock, Highland Ranch and Parker, you will see graffiti all around. Some call it art, others call it vandalism. Either way, it is a crime under Colorado law – Criminal Mischief. Some recent vandalism has been brought to local news agencies as the park rangers reported graffiti, vandalism, and littering becoming a trend in the Mesa Verde National Park. People are digging up charcoal and using it to write messages on the rocks. Rangers are saying that digging up the charcoal is actually destroying archaeological artifacts. If anyone is caught vandalizing any part of the Colorado national park, they will likely face Criminal Mischief charges.

Douglas County Criminal Mischief Attorney: Definition of Criminal Mischief – C.R.S. 18-4-501

The Douglas County, Colorado definition of Criminal Mischief – C.R.S. 18-4-501 – is:

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A person commits criminal mischief when he or she knowingly damages the real or personal property of one or more other persons, including property owned by the person jointly with another person or property owned by the person in which another person has a possessory or proprietary interest, in the course of a single criminal episode.”

Technically, the property of the national park belongs to the government. Because the vandals damaged some of the natural items contained within this property, they could be facing these or federal crime charges.

Sentence / Punishment for Criminal Mischief or Property Damage by Vandals in Highlands Ranch

In Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch, Criminal Mischief can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the amount of damage that is done:

Class of Crime	Aggregate Damage of Property Harmed
Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief	Less than $300
Class 2 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief	$300 to $749
Class 1 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief	$750 to $999
Class 6 Felony Criminal Mischief	$1,000 to $4,999
Class 5 Felony Criminal Mischief	$5,000 to $19,999
Class 4 Felony Criminal Mischief	$20,000 to $99,999
Class 3 Felony Criminal Mischief	$100,000 to $999,999
Class 2 Felony Criminal Mischief	$1,000,000 or more

It is difficult to assess the monetary value of the damage done to the cliffs, rocks, and other items found in nature, but I’m sure the government will find a way. Often, the amount of restitution ordered in a criminal mischief case will include the cost of the damaged property along with any service and labor for cleanup / repair.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Criminal Mischief, be smart exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Douglas County criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 303-265-1950, today. Together, we can protect your future.

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