South Jersey Laws
Criminal Mischief
New Jersey Statutes Annotated 2C:17-3: Criminal Mischief


A person is guilty of criminal mischief if he:

  • Purposely or knowingly damages someone else’s tangible property; or
  • Recklessly or negligently damages someone else’s tangible property with fire, explosives or other dangerous means; or
  • Purposely, knowingly or recklessly tampers with someone else’s tangible property so as to endanger person or property.


Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if:

  • The actor purposely or knowingly causes a loss of $2,000.00 or more, or a substantial interruption or impairment of public communication, transportation, supply of water, gas or power, or other public service; or
  • The actor damages, defaces, eradicates, alters, receives, releases or causes the loss of any research property used by a research facility, or otherwise causes physical disruption to the functioning of the research facility;
And is punishable by:
  • Imprisonment for three to five years;
  • A fine of up to $15,000;
  • Or both.

Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if:
  • The actor causes a loss of more than $500.00;
And is punishable by:
  • Imprisonment for up to 18 months;
  • A fine of up to $10,000;
  • Or both.

Criminal mischief is a disorderly persons offense if:
  • The actor causes pecuniary loss of $500.00 or less;
And is punishable by:
  • Imprisonment for up to six months;
  • A fine of up to $1,000;
  • Or both.

Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if:
  • The actor damages, removes or impairs the operation of any device, including, but not limited to, a sign, signal, light or other equipment, which serves to regulate or ensure the safety of air traffic at any airport, landing field, landing strip, heliport, helistop or any other aviation facility.

If the damage, removal or impediment of the device recklessly causes bodily injury or damage to property, the actor is guilty of a crime of the third degree, punishable by:
  • Imprisonment for a term of three to five years;
  • A fine of not more than $15,000;
  • Or both.

If the damage, removal or impediment recklessly causes a death, the actor is guilty of a crime of the second degree, punishable by:
  • Imprisonment for five to ten years;
  • A fine of up to $150,000;
  • Or both.

Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if:
  • The actor tampers with a grave, crypt, mausoleum or other site where human remains are stored or interred, with the purpose to desecrate, destroy or steal such human remains or any part thereof;
And is punishable by:
  • imprisonment of three to five years;
  • A fine of up to $15,000;
  • Or both.

A person convicted of an offense of criminal mischief that involves an act of graffiti may, in addition to any other penalty, be required to pay to the owner of the damaged property monetary restitution and to perform community service, which shall include removing the graffiti from the property, if appropriate.


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