Peachtree City Elementary School Vandalized

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Peachtree City, Ga. – Peachtree City authorities along with Fayette County deputies are searching for the suspects who are responsible for vandalizing a local elementary school two times since its construction began.

According to reports, the suspects broke into Oak Grove Elementary School on two different occasions. The company in charge of the construction has estimated that the first incident totaled $10,000 while the second incident totaled $3,000 in damages. Investigators reported that they were able to make impressions of both fingerprints and footprints. The company is offering $2,000 for anyone who comes forward with information.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I can point out the various crimes that have taken place in these incidents. However, I will focus today's post on the offense of criminal damage to property.

Criminal Damage to Property

The crime of criminal damage to property is actually broken down into two different degrees.

Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-7-22 as:

A person commits the offense of criminal damage to property in the 1st degree when they:

Knowingly and without authority interfere with any property in a manner as to endanger human life; or

Knowingly and without authority and by force or violence interfere with the operation of public communication, public transportation, sewerage, drainage, water supply, gas, power, or other public utility service or with any constituent power thereof.

Criminal damage to property in the first degree is classified as a felony and the penalty if convicted will be a prison term between one and ten years.

Criminal Damage to Property in the Second Degree in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. § 16-7-23  as:

A person commits the offense of criminal damage to property in the second degree when they:

Intentionally damage any property of another person without their consent, and the damage, therefore, exceeds $500.00; or

Recklessly or intentionally, by means of fire or explosive, damages property of another person.

Criminal damage to property in the second degree is also classified as a felony and the penalty if convicted will be a prison term between one and five years.

Practice Note

If arrested in the state of Georgia, call our offices today.