Walk It Through: The Keyed Car
Criminal mischief graded by the loss, a written threat as a first degree misdemeanor, and what the grades carry.
After a parking dispute, a neighbor drags a key down the side of another neighbor's car.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One car and one key. Restitution, a civil suit for the repair, and a protection order are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Criminal mischiefIntentionally damaging another's property, tampering with it so as to endanger people or property, causing a financial loss by deception or threat, or defacing it with graffiti.
- Misdemeanor of the third degreeThe lowest misdemeanor grade, punishable by up to 1 year in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
- Summary offenseThe lowest grade of offense, punishable by not more than 90 days, with a fine of up to $300 unless a higher fine is set.
- Terroristic threatsCommunicating, directly or indirectly, a threat to commit a crime of violence with intent to terrorize another, or to cause an evacuation or serious public inconvenience.