Misdemeanor Property Offenses

These offenses often arise out of poor judgement. The Defendant may have meant his actions in good fun. Maybe they just grabbed something from Walmart for the thrill.

Property offenses tend to be more about making the victim whole than punishing the accused. Let us talk your way out of this. Or better yet, prove your innocence.

Common Misdemeanor Property Offenses

  • Typically a misdemeanor of the first degree under Ohio Revised Code § 2913.02. Petty theft occurs when the price of the property is less than $1,000.

  • Criminal Damaging is typically a misdemeanor of the second degree under Ohio Revised Code § 2909.06 when a person causes, or creates a substantial risk of physical harm to any property of another without the other person's consent either:

    • Knowingly, by any means; or

    • Recklessly, by means of fire, explosion, flood, poison gas, poison, radioactive material, caustic or corrosive material, or other inherently dangerous agency or substance.

    If a violation of this section creates a risk of physical harm to any person, criminal damaging or endangering is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

  • Criminal Mischief can come in many iterations, but is generally the moving, defacing, damaging, destroying, or otherwise tampering with the property of another. It is normally a misdemeanor of the third degree, however it can be enhanced.

  • Criminal Trespassing is normally a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, however it can be enhanced. It is also usually when a person knowingly enters on the land or premises of another.

  • Arson is generally a misdemeanor of the first degree, although enhanceable to a felony if the property is worth over $500.