Criminal Mischief

Criminal Mischief Attorney – Shahin Zamir

Criminal mischief is defined in Section 28.03 of the Texas Penal Code as occurring whenever a person “intentionally or knowingly” damages someone else’s property. This can include vandalism to property whether public or private. Attorney Shahin Zamir has defended numerous criminal mischief cases. If you have been charged with criminal mischief, contact the Law Office of Shahin Zamir at 713-228-8900.

Penalties of Criminal Mischief in Texas

Criminal mischief is typically considered a misdemeanor, with the range of punishment varying based upon the amount of property that was damaged. There can also be additional penalties if the criminal mischief involves tampering with a water supply or using a firearm or explosives. Some of the penalties for criminal mischief may include:

• Fines ranging from $500 to $10,000
• 180 days to 2 years in jail
• Probation
• Community Service

Those Charged with Criminal Mischief

If you have been charged with criminal mischief, the State of Texas would like nothing more than for you to enter a guilty plea without going to trial. By getting you to give up your right to a trial, prosecutors can wrap up the case quickly and become heroes in the eyes of the property owner. In cases where there is shoddy evidence to begin with, it might be difficult to prove these charges in a court of law. Prosecutors would like to have you believe there is no other option but to accept the deal they have laid out or face even more severe consequences.

How a Criminal Lawyer Can Help

In cases where a plea bargain is your best option, the State of Texas is unlikely to give you a fair deal unless you are represented by an aggressive defense attorney. Shahin Zamir will examine the evidence against you to determine if you should plead guilty or ask for a trial. If the evidence is overwhelming and a guilty plea is best option, he will aggressively negotiate with prosecutors in order to reduce the punishment drastically. Some of the strategies performed to reduce or eliminate criminal mischief charges are:

• Disputing the state’s evidence
• Confronting witnesses and finding weaknesses in their story
• Looking at case law to see how similar situations have been handled in the past
• Determining if there are mitigating circumstances that would result in a lesser sentence

Attorney Shahin Zamir believes that every defendant deserves the best possible representation. For a free case consultation, contact the Law Office of Shahin Zamir at 713-223-8900.