Property Crimes Defense Attorney
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Criminal Damage to Property
Simple Criminal Damage to Property — La. R.S. 14:56
Simple criminal damage to property is the intentional damaging of any property of another, without the consent of the owner, and except as provided in R.S. 14:55, by any means other than fire or explosion.
The provisions of this Section shall include the intentional damaging of a dwelling, house, apartment, or other structure used in whole or in part as a home, residence, or place of abode by a person who leased or rented the property.
Penalties
Whoever commits the crime of simple criminal damage to property where the damage is less than $500.00 shall be fined not more than $1,000 dollars or imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both.
Where the damage amounts to $500 dollars but less than $50,000 dollars, the offender shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than 2 years, or both.
Where the damage amounts to $50,000 dollars or more, the offender shall be fined not more than $10,000 dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than one nor more than 10 years, or both.
* In addition to the foregoing penalties, a person convicted under the provisions of this Section may be ordered to make full restitution to the owner of the property. If a person ordered to make restitution is found to be indigent and therefore unable to make restitution in full at the time of conviction, the court shall order a periodic payment plan consistent with the person’s ability to pay.