Facing criminal charges in Colorado? Free consultation, available 24/7.

(719) 259-2012
52 connections
Legal concept

Criminal Mischief

C.R.S. § 18-4-501

The act of breaking or damaging something of value; the level of charge depends on the amount of damage done and the cost to replace it.

What Right Law Group attorneys say

So can you get in trouble for breaking your own things? In other words, can you be charged for domestic violence? criminal mischief offense if you're breaking your own things? Unfortunately, in the state of Colorado, the answer is yes.
Alexis Austin Litle · Can I Get In Trouble For Breaking My Own Things? // Right Law GroupWatch clip ↗
So what we see happening a lot is couples will get into some kind of argument or dispute. And a lot of times, you know, you have all this pent up anger and aggression, and you don't want to hurt the other person, but you have nowhere else to go and you punch a wall or you throw something. Now, if you punch your own wall, it's still going to be a criminal offence. For the criminal mischief charge. If you throw your own phone and break your own phone, it's still a criminal mischief charge.
Alexis Austin Litle · Can I Get In Trouble For Breaking My Own Things? // Right Law GroupWatch clip ↗
The reason that that is, be it right or wrong, is that the act of criminal mischief is just the act of breaking something of value, or damaging something of value. There's nothing in the elements of a criminal offense, criminal mischief charge that doesn't have to be of value to another person.
Alexis Austin Litle · Can I Get In Trouble For Breaking My Own Things? // Right Law GroupWatch clip ↗
Sometimes people will intrude domestic violence incidents, they will break things as an act of control over the other person. So one of the most common things that we see is, If a couple is arguing, one spouse will grab something that someone bought for them. So let's say it's some kind of knickknacks and they say, you bought this for me and it doesn't mean anything anymore, and then they'll break it that's doing that act is them trying to control the situation and trying to hurt the other person emotionally.
Alexis Austin Litle · Can I Get In Trouble For Breaking My Own Things? // Right Law GroupWatch clip ↗
criminal mischief involves the damage of property of value, and it can be any value, it's anywhere from zero to millions of dollars. The level of criminal mischief charge will depend on the amount of damage done and the cost to replace it. But yes, in Colorado, you can be charged for breaking your own things.
Alexis Austin Litle · Can I Get In Trouble For Breaking My Own Things? // Right Law GroupWatch clip ↗
Now, if you punch your own wall, it's still going to be a criminal offence. For the criminal mischief charge. If you throw your own phone and break your own phone, it's still a criminal mischief charge.
Alexis Austin Litle · Can I Get In Trouble For Breaking My Own Things? // Right Law GroupWatch clip ↗
View all 7 clips ›

Frequently asked questions

Gang Charges Lawyer

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Facing accusations of gang-related criminal activity can feel overwhelming and isolating. But you don’t have to navigate these charges alone."

Source · Read guide
Vandalism Lawyer

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Have you or someone you love been charged with vandalism in Castle Rock, Colorado? Take a deep breath – help is on the way."

Source · Read guide
Criminal Mischief Colorado

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Criminal Mischief Charges in Colorado? // Call for FREE Consultation Facing Criminal Mischief Charges in CO? Facing Criminal Mischief Charges?"

Source · Read guide
Criminal Mischief in Colorado: How a Moment of Frustration Can Threaten Your Future

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A flash of anger, a slammed door, or a tossed phone. In the heat of a high-stress moment, property sometimes gets broken."

Source · Read guide
criminal mischief involves the damage of property of value, and it can be any value, it's anywhere from zero to millions of dollars.

Alexis explains: "criminal mischief involves the damage of property of value, and it can be any value, it's anywhere from zero to millions of dollars. The level of criminal mischief charge will depend on the amount of damage done and the cost to replace it. But yes, in Colorado, you can be charged for breaking your own things."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
Now, if you punch your own wall, it's still going to be a criminal offence.

Alexis explains: "Now, if you punch your own wall, it's still going to be a criminal offence. For the criminal mischief charge. If you throw your own phone and break your own phone, it's still a criminal mischief charge."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
So can you get in trouble for breaking your own things?

Alexis explains: "So can you get in trouble for breaking your own things? In other words, can you be charged for domestic violence? criminal mischief offense if you're breaking your own things? Unfortunately, in the state of Colorado, the answer is yes."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
So what we see happening a lot is couples will get into some kind of argument or dispute.

Alexis explains: "So what we see happening a lot is couples will get into some kind of argument or dispute. And a lot of times, you know, you have all this pent up anger and aggression, and you don't want to hurt the other person, but you have nowhere else to go and you punch a wall or you throw something. Now, if you punch your own wall, it's still going to be a criminal offence. For the criminal mischief charge. If you throw your own phone and break your own phone, it's still a criminal mischief charge."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
Sometimes people will intrude domestic violence incidents, they will break things as an act of control over the other person.

Alexis explains: "Sometimes people will intrude domestic violence incidents, they will break things as an act of control over the other person. So one of the most common things that we see is, If a couple is arguing, one spouse will grab something that someone bought for them. So let's say it's some kind of knickknacks and they say, you bought this for me and it doesn't mean anything anymore, and then they'll break it that's doing that act is them trying to control the situation and trying to hurt the other person emotionally."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
The reason that that is, be it right or wrong, is that the act of criminal mischief is just the act of breaking somethin...

Alexis explains: "The reason that that is, be it right or wrong, is that the act of criminal mischief is just the act of breaking something of value, or damaging something of value. There's nothing in the elements of a criminal offense, criminal mischief charge that doesn't have to be of value to another person."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip

Each answer links directly to the source where a Right Law Group attorney addressed this question.

10 answers grounded in Right Law Group sources

Related charges

Related concepts

What clients say

The situation

Got into a DV case because of an ex I let back in the home and made my life very hard

What changed

he fought hard for me

The result

they dismissed the whole case

Jacob D. Gannon Becker★★★★★Google verified
What changed

their belief of my side and story and their knowledge in the legal system they were able to get my case dismissed

The result

get my case dismissed

Cristina W. Zoe Levesque★★★★★Google verified
View all testimonials ›

Related blog posts and resources