by admin on June 25, 2009
There has been a disturbing run of prank calls to hotels in Alabama (H/T: Here and Now) as well as in California, Nebraska, and Arkansas. The caller tells hotel employees that they must urgently turn on sprinklers and break windows.
This action is more than just a prank, it is a criminal offense. In most states there are felony criminal property damage laws for intent to do property damage that results in such serious damage. The results of turning on a sprinkler quickly causes tens of thousands of dollars in water and flood damage to any hotel property.
photo credit: brew127
Most states also have criminal offenses for falsely setting off a fire alarm, or causing it to happen. These are separate criminal offenses.
There is no question that these are serious charges. If these people are caught, they are very likely to do jail time if convicted.
If you find yourself charged with a crime, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer for a consultation. Whether you did something foolish that you are regret, or are accused of something you didn’t do, or were just in the wrong place at the wrong time, you need top criminal defense advice, and answers to your questions.
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Further Reading: AP, & Rant/Rave.
Alabama Criminal Mischief Laws
by admin on January 22, 2009
More than likely that headline did not come as a surprise. Property crimes like theft and property destruction are often crimes of necessity. People are more willing to break the law when they are struggling to pay their bills and keep their homes out of foreclosure.
A statewide study in Virginia affirms this long standing suspicion. The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Service evaluated property crime offenses during 2008 and compared it to years past. They also evaluated data from recession periods in the past. While they can’t say for certain a recession causes the rise, they can determine that the rise in property crimes coincides with periods of recession.
More than likely people are more apt to commit criminal activity when they fall on hard times. Robert McCrie points out that police controls also decrease during times of budgetary constraints. Without the money for many extra programs and staffing, crime prevention could also play a part in the rising crime rate.
More than likely the same findings would be true throughout the nation as they were for Virginia. Difficult financial times paired with budgetary constraints within the policing realm coincide with and possible contribute to a higher crime rate.
With the economy in the situation it is, there is no doubt that we may continue to see climbing instances of property crimes. When we feel cornered by our financial situations it can be very difficult to know where to turn or what to do. This could be why many people commit crimes of financial gain during these times.
While being down and out is absolutely no excuse for breaking any laws it can explain why they were broken. Facing a judge after committing a property crime only adds to the stress levels that are already at a high in an economy like this.
An experienced, aggressive defense attorney is one tool that is absolutely necessary in the battle you may be facing if charged with a property offense, no matter what state you are in.
