Damaging or destroying property belonging to someone else is all that the Crown requires to charge you with mischief.

Under cases where the property is co-owned or where another individual is interested in the damaged asset, the Crown is not required to prove an intent to defraud. You may also be charged with mischief if you damage property jointly owned, like matrimonial property. If you destroy your property with the intent to defraud, you may be charged with mischief. Facing Mischief Charges For Destroying Your Property No matter how insignificant the damage might appear to be, as long as there was actual property damage and the Crown Prosecutor can show all offence elements, the court can and will convict you of mischief.Įven in the case of no substantial physical damage, you could still be convicted of mischief if it proved that there was some interference with the everyday use and possession of another person’s property.įor instance, the court can find you guilty of mischief if it can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that you interfered with somebody’s quiet party by making excessive noise being their neighbour or having a large, disruptive party.

There was some real damage done to the property or that you interfered with the asset in some real way.

The condition of the asset before the crime was committed and,.

That you didn’t own the property which you interfered with or damaged.

The person who committed the offence was indeed you.

What Needs To Be Proved For Successful Conviction?įor successful conviction, the Crown Prosecutor will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:

You have interfered with any individual in the legal use, possession, or operation of the property.

You have interfered with the lawful usage of someone else’s property.

You have left the property useless, inoperative, or ineffective.

You have intentionally damaged someone else’s property.

Usually, there are four situations where you can be found guilty of committing mischief: When charged with mischief, it’s best to get the services of an experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer to help you. It is a severe criminal offence under the Canadian Criminal Code, leading to a criminal record, fines, probation, and sometimes jail time, if not defended successfully in court.

Mischief is usually a charge laid following an act of vandalism. In Canada, mischief is considered a criminal offence, referring to the deliberate or reckless damage of someone’s property or the act of interfering with someone’s property.

What is the meaning of mischief