Three Utah men are facing multiple charges in the wake of their arrests for a rash of RV and motor home break-ins. The men are accused of entering RVs and motor homes and stealing electronics and other items, including televisions, speaker systems and DVDs, according to the Standard-Examiner.
The men face charges of burglary of a vehicle, theft, criminal mischief and criminal trespass. While most have heard and have an understanding of theft and burglary, many may not be familiar with criminal mischief and criminal trespass as Utah property crimes.
Criminal Mischief as a Utah Property Crime
According to Utah statute, a person can be charged with criminal mischief in a variety of situations, including: damaging or destroying property with the intention of defrauding an insurer; or tampering with property that recklessly endangers human life, health or safety; or intentionally damaging, defacing or destroying another’s property. For many situations, whether or not the charges are a felony or misdemeanor will depend on the amount of damage caused to the property of another.
It should be noted the breadth of the reach of this statute. By including intentionally damaging, defaces or destroying the property of another, many acts may fall classify as criminal mischief.
Criminal Trespass as a Utah Property Crime
According to Utah statute, a person can be charged with criminal trespass for committing several different acts. In general a person commits criminal trespass if they enter or unlawfully remain on the property of another and intends to injure a person or damage property, including graffiti, or intends to commit a crime other than theft or a felony.
The low threshold of what may qualify as criminal trespass should be noted. In many instances a young person may enter a friend’s parents’ or other adults’ property wanting to pull a youthful prank, when in reality the young person may end up unwittingly committing criminal trespass.
If you or a loved one has been charged with criminal mischief, criminal trespass or another property crime, speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney.