Egg Harbor Juveniles Charged with Criminal Mischief
Two juveniles have allegedly confessed to numerous acts of criminal mischief including throwing debris on the Garden State Parkway. According to a NBC40 news report, the alleged incidents occurred between August and December of 2011 between milepost 32.6 and 32.8 in Egg Harbor Township. Officials say the two juveniles threw rocks and tree branches at passing vehicles. It is unclear how many passing vehicles may have been damaged. Even so, officials are requesting information from anyone who may have suffered damage from debris along that stretch of the Garden State Parkway.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3, a juvenile is guilty of criminal mischief if he or she "purposely or knowingly damages tangible property of another or damages tangible property of another recklessly or negligently in the employment of fire, explosives or other dangerous means," or "tampers with tangible property of another so as to endanger person or property."
Criminal mischief can be a fourth- or third-degree crime depending on the value of the property damaged by the juveniles. For example, causing $500 to $2,000 worth of damage is typically a fourth-degree crime and causing over $2,000 worth of damage can be a third-degree crime. There are many additional circumstances that can alter the types of charges or penalties for a New Jersey juvenile crime as well, such as the criminal history of the youth.
The reputed Princeton juvenile criminal mischief defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to handle New Jersey cases involving criminal mischief. If your child has been charged with damaging someone's property, please contact us at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation.
