As reported earlier, Denver Convention Center’s sightseeing, bigger than life Big Blue Bear was tagged Easter Sunday with green paint. By mid week workers rose to nearly forty feet to reach the massive gentle giant. Workers were spraying, sprucing and primping Big Blue at a whopping cost of $11,000.
The criminal mischief case is still being investigated. Denver Police spokesman Sonny Jackson reports there are “credible leads” and this is definitely not a “cold case”.
Now that we have estimated damages for the restoration of Blue Bear, if someone were investigated and arrested for the vandalism they could be looking at a Criminal Mischief charge.
Denver District Attorney would charge the Criminal Mischief with:
- Class 4 Felony (F4) if aggregate (total) damage to property in a single event is between $1000-$20,000 market value, it carries a presumptive sentence of up to 6 years prison and restitution.
If during the investigation the police department determines that damage exceeds $20,000 it becomes a:
- Class 3 Felony (F3) if aggregate (total) damage to property in a single event is between $20,000 or more market value carries a presumptive sentence of up to 12 years prison and restitution.
If the act of tagging or painting graffiti becomes repeat behavior or a physical addiction to inhalants, a defendant may be looking at more serious consequences. Don’t talk to police without first talking with a criminal defense lawyer. Don’t plead guilty and remember police don’t make decisions on plea negotiations.
Negotiating with the prosecutor is the best possible resolution to your criminal case. The best person to do that is a criminal defense attorney familiar with the Denver court system. I’ve worked in Denver handling misdemeanor and felony crimes of all types, including Criminal Mischief by spray paint.
If I can help you, I hope you will call Philip M. Smith, Denver Criminal Mischief Defense Lawyer, 303-333-8900 for your free confidential consultation.
