Malicious Destruction of Property Attorneys in Michigan

Malicious Destruction of Property Charges

Fought By Our Michigan Property Crimes Attorneys

If you’ve been arrested for intentionally destroying or damaging someone else’s property, you’re probably facing malicious destruction of property (MDOP) charges. These cases can be complicated as they require an intense investigation of all circumstances surrounding your case as well as an aggressive defense in court.

At The Law Offices of Barton Morris, our Michigan property crimes attorneys have extensive experience dealing with these kinds of cases, and we aren’t afraid to go to trial and fight on your behalf. We believe everyone deserves top-quality legal representation, and we’re prepared to put our knowledge and experience to work for you.

Charged with malicious destruction of property? Unhappy with your current attorney? Request a free consultation now.

The Penalties for an Malicious Destruction of Property (MDOP) Conviction

To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove that you willfully damaged or destroyed someone else’s property and that what occurred wasn’t simply an accident. Depending on the nature of your case, the penalties upon conviction will vary. The courts consider several things, including whether or not this was your first offense and what the value of the damaged property is.

Common penalties include:

• Destruction of less than $200 (misdemeanor): Jail time up to 93 days and/or a fine of $500 or 3 times the cost of the damaged property
• Destruction of $200 – $1,000 (misdemeanor): Jail time up to 1 year and/or a fine of $2,000 or 3 times the cost of the damaged property
• Destruction of $1,000 – $20,000 or this is your second offense of MDOP (felony): 5 years of jail time and/or fines of $10,000 or 3 times the cost of the damaged property
• Destruction of more than $20,000 or two prior convictions for MDOP (felony): 10 years of jail time and/or fines of $15,000 or 3 times the value of the damaged property

In addition to the immediate penalties, having a criminal record can have far-reaching consequences on your life. In addition to limiting your employment options, you may also experience difficulty in renting property, securing student loans and grants, as well as voting and owning a firearm.

Charged with malicious destruction of property? Unhappy with your current attorney? Request a free consultation now.

We Can Handle Any Case

It’s not uncommon that MDOP cases are also accompanied by other criminal offenses and issues. This can result in steeper sentencing and a more complicated trial. You want a criminal defense lawyer who is adept in all aspects of criminal law. At The Law Offices of Barton Morris, our Michigan property crimes attorneys are well-versed in all issues of state and federal law, and we can help you structure a defense in which you feel confident.

We take an aggressive, detail-oriented approach, and believe the keys to success are found in planning and preparation. Our lawyers work together and with this teamwork approach, we are able to bring clients the customized legal representation they need.

Charged with malicious destruction of property? Unhappy with your current attorney? Request a free consultation now.