The extent of damage varies, but regardless of it being small or big, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s a crime.

In some cases, criminal mischief may also involve trespassing. Laypeople are probably more familiar with the synonymous term of vandalism, which can include anything from spray-painting graffiti on a building to smashing a window. However, keep in mind that each state has its own definition of what constitutes criminal mischief. What Is the Definition of a Criminal Mischief?Ĭriminal mischief or malicious mischief is typically defined as the intentional damage or destruction of another person’s or public property without consent. If you’ve been accused of criminal mischief or are simply looking to understand its definition, this article is for you. It can be challenging to determine whether someone is guilty or not, or whether they did what they did accidentally or intentionally. However, in practice, it’s rarely as simple as that.

What is criminal mischief? In short, any time someone damages a property without the owner’s permission, they’ll likely face criminal mischief charges.

Malicious mischief