{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "145.00", "citation": "Penal Law § 145.00", "heading": "Criminal mischief in the fourth degree", "text": ["§ 145.00 Criminal mischief in the fourth degree.", "A person is guilty of criminal mischief in the fourth degree when, having no right to do so nor any reasonable ground to believe that he or she has such right, he or she:", "1. Intentionally damages property of another person; or", "2. Intentionally participates in the destruction of an abandoned building as defined in section one thousand nine hundred seventy-one-a of the real property actions and proceedings law; or", "3. Recklessly damages property of another person in an amount exceeding two hundred fifty dollars; or", "4. With intent to prevent a person from communicating a request for emergency assistance, intentionally disables or removes telephonic, TTY or similar communication sending equipment while that person: (a) is attempting to seek or is engaged in the process of seeking emergency assistance from police, law enforcement, fire or emergency medical services personnel; or (b) is attempting to seek or is engaged in the process of seeking emergency assistance from another person or entity in order to protect himself, herself or a third person from imminent physical injury. The fact that the defendant has an ownership interest in such equipment shall not be a defense to a charge pursuant to this subdivision.", "Criminal mischief in the fourth degree is a class A misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/145.00", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits fourth-degree criminal mischief when, **without a right to do so or any reasonable ground to believe there is one**, he or she:\n- **(1)** **intentionally damages another's property**;\n- **(2)** **intentionally participates in destroying an abandoned building** (as defined in Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law section 1971-a);\n- **(3)** **recklessly damages another's property by more than $250**; or ★\n- **(4)** intending to stop a person from requesting emergency help, **intentionally disables or removes telephone, TTY, or similar sending equipment** while that person is seeking or trying to seek emergency help **(a)** from police, law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical personnel, or **(b)** from another person or entity to protect themselves or a third person from **imminent physical injury**. The defendant's **ownership interest in the equipment is not a defense**. ★\nIt is a **class A misdemeanor**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/145.00", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}