Intentionally defacing, injuring, or destroying another person’s real or personal property is more than just a prank in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The crime, called malicious injury to property in Tulsa, could lead to jail time if you are convicted.
Penalties for Malicious Injury to Property in Tulsa
If an act of malicious injury to property in Tulsa causes damage valued at less than $1,000, you could be convicted of a misdemeanor crime.
For this crime, the jail time is not specifically set forth within the context of the statute. Thus, it falls within Oklahoma’s umbrella statutes regarding punishment. Under those, a misdemeanor is punishable by a jail term of up to one year in addition to a possible fine of up to $500. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 10
However, if an act of malicious injury to property in Tulsa causes damage valued at more than $1,000, you could be convicted of a felony offense. Also, if you have been convicted of this crime twice before, the third time will be charged as a felony regardless of the value of the damage done. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1760
If you are convicted of a felony, it is punishable by a prison term of up to two years in addition to a fine of up to $1,000. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 9
Possible Exceptions
There are some exceptions to this statute that you should know about. These actions may seem like malicious injury to property in Tulsa, but they are treated differently under the law. The punishment is less severe.
For example, tearing down or defacing legal notices posted on any mining claim, or pulling up mining stakes associated with mining claims are misdemeanor offenses. These are punishable by a fine of up to $100, up to six months in jail, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1762
Possible Civil Penalties
Finally, because you are causing damage to another person’s property, the law allows that person a legal remedy against you to help offset the value of the property damaged and to act as a deterrent. The property owner can hold you liable in a separate civil lawsuit brought against you for up to three times the damage done.
Because the standard of proof in a criminal trial is so much higher than in a civil matter, if you are found guilty in the criminal matter, you will most certainly be found guilty in the civil matter.
Initial Strategy Session: Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you know has been accused of malicious injury to property in Oklahoma, please contact a Tulsa criminal defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Consult with an experienced Tulsa attorney today by calling 918-756-9600.
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