Serial Tire Slasher Caught by Georgia Bureau of Investigation

According to reports from thee Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a serial tire slasher has been arrested in DeKalb County. The man has been arrested on over eighty property crime charges.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the law behind criminal damage to property as it is a complicated offense and covers quite an array of actions. The offense of criminal damage to property is broken down into two separate degrees by law.

Criminal Damage to Property in the First Degree

Georgia Law defines the offense of criminal damage to property in the first degree in Georgia as:

A person commits the offense of criminal damage to property in the first degree when he 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. O.C.G.A. §16-7-22.

A criminal damage to property in the first degree conviction in Georgia is classified as a felony, and the punishment will be a prison term between one and ten years. 

Criminal Damage to Property in the Second Degree

Georgia Law defines the offense of criminal damage to property in the second degree in Georgia 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. O.C.G.A. §16-7-23.

A criminal damage to property in the second degree conviction in Georgia is also classified as a felony, and the punishment will be a prison term between one and five years.

Practice Note

There are many different Georgia Criminal Defenses that can apply in the case of a wrongful accusation of criminal damage to property. If you or a loved one has been arrested, call our offices now.