Are you facing the charge of Columbus criminal damaging or endangering? In Columbus and throughout Ohio, the crime of criminal damaging and/or endangering covers a broad range of offenses. A conviction can result in penalties including criminal convictions on your record, monetary fines, and even jail time.
CRIMINAL DAMAGING / CRIMINAL ENDANGERING: OHIO LAW
WHAT IS CRIMINAL DAMAGING AND ENDANGERING IN OHIO?
Criminal Damaging: Ohio Revised Code 2929.06
Under Ohio’s criminal damaging statute (ORC 2929.06), it is a crime to knowingly or recklessly cause, or create a substantial risk of physical harm to someone else’s property without that person’s consent.
This includes property damage by means of fire, explosion, flood, poison gas, poison, radioactive material, caustic or corrosive material, or any other inherently dangerous agency or substance.
WHAT PENALTIES CAN YOU FACE IN A COLUMBUS CRIMINAL DAMAGING CASE?
Second Degree Misdemeanor
- Up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $750
- This charge applies if the damage caused no risk of physical harm to anyone
First Degree Misdemeanor
- Up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1000
- This charge applies If the damage or violation creates a risk of physical harm to someone
FIfth Degree Felony
- Up to 12 months in jail and fines up to $2,500
- This charge applies if the property involved is an aircraft, an aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, spare part, or any other equipment or implement used or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft and if the violation creates a risk of physical harm to any person.
Fourth Degree Felony
- Up to 18 months in jail and a fine up to $5,000
- This charge applies if:
The property involved i is an aircraft, an aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, spare part, or any other equipment or implement used or intended to be used in the operation of an aircraft and if the violation creates a substantial risk of physical harm to any person; or
The property involved in a violation of this section is an occupied aircraft.
Criminal Damaging or Endangering Convictions Carry Long-Term Consequences
A criminal damaging or endangering conviction can result in harsh denials of your applications for jobs, loans, student financial aid, apartments, and professional licenses. These consequences can follow you for your entire life.
If you’ve been charged with the crime of criminal damaging or endangering, you should enlist the help of an experienced and knowledgeable Ohio criminal damaging attorney from the outset.
Ohio criminal damaging attorney Douglas Riddell has worked with clients charged with criminal damaging and endangering. He can provide knowledgeable guidance to apply the law to the facts of your case toward structure the best possible defense in your case.
Mr. Riddell will work with you to determine if you have an affirmative defense for the charge, for example if the property owner consented in some way to the act for which you are charged.
Ohio criminal defense attorney Douglas Riddell will examine all angles of your case and aggressively work toward dismissal of the case or reduction of the charge.
Contact Riddell Law today for a free and confidential case review. Call us now at 614-361-2804.