569.100. Property Damage in the First Degree — Penalties
Serious property damage over $750 or involving theft can lead to felony charges
In Missouri, damaging someone else’s property in certain serious ways is a felony known as first-degree property damage.
1. You can be charged with this offense if you:
- (1) Knowingly damage someone else’s property and the damage is over $750;
- (2) Cause over $750 in damage to commit insurance fraud;
- (3) Break into a vehicle and cause damage while trying to steal something from it;
- (4) Damage or disable an ATM (automated teller machine).
2. The penalties depend on what happened:
- Class E felony for most property damage over $750.
- Class D felony if the victim was targeted for being a police officer or their close relative.
- Class D felony for damaging a vehicle during a theft attempt (can be Class B felony if it’s not your first time).
- Class D felony for damaging an ATM, but it’s a Class C or B felony if the intent was fraud, theft of someone’s financial info, or if it’s a repeat offense.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
