CRIMINAL DAMAGE LAWYER

TUCSON & SOUTHERN ARIZONA

Charged with Criminal Damage in Tucson or Southern Arizona? Former Pima County Judge Doug Taylor defends misdemeanor and felony Criminal Damage cases. 

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  • Fact-Checked

    This page has been carefully written, edited, and reviewed by our team of legal professionals following strict editorial guidelines. It has been approved by our Founding Partner, Douglas W. Taylor, Sr., a seasoned criminal defense attorney with extensive legal experience. The “last modified” date indicates the most recent review of this page.

Last Modified: October 5, 2025

Tucson criminal damage defense attorney meeting with client (A.R.S. § 13-1602)

CRIMINAL DAMAGE ATTORNEY IN TUCSON, ARIZONA


  • Criminal Damage cases often turn on valuation, intent, and context — how much damage actually occurred, whether conduct was reckless or intentional, and whose property was affected. We act fast to preserve video, texts, and repair records, challenge valuation, and press for dismissals, reductions, or diversion where available.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Understanding Criminal Damage Laws in Arizona — and How We Help You

What’s charged (A.R.S. § 13-1602):

  • Allegations can include defacing or damaging property, tampering with property so it’s substantially impaired, utility/critical-infrastructure damage, or graffiti without permission.


Misdemeanor vs. felony:

  • Criminal Damage can be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the alleged dollar amount of damage and the type of property (e.g., utilities/critical infrastructure).


What the State must prove:

  • Property of another (or qualifying property such as utility/critical infrastructure)
  • Mental state (often recklessly, sometimes intentionally/knowingly depending on the subsection)
  • Value/extent of damage (the dollar figure used for grading)
  • Causation & evidence (that your conduct, not something else, caused the damage)


Domestic-violence tag (A.R.S. § 13-3601):

  • If a qualifying relationship exists (spouse/partner, family/household), Criminal Damage can carry a DV designation — expect added conditions and collateral effects.


Common defenses we use:

  • No intent/recklessness (accident, lack of awareness, or lawful purpose)
  • Ownership/permission (not “property of another,” consent, or shared/possessory rights)
  • Valuation disputes (inflated estimates, pre-existing damage, betterment issues)
  • No substantial impairment/inconvenience (for “tampering” prongs)
  • Misidentification / unreliable witnesses (conflicts, missing video)
  • Digital/forensic gaps (timestamps, metadata, tool-mark mismatch)
  • DV tag not supported (no qualifying relationship or wrong person listed)


Possible outcomes

  • Dismissals when proof problems exist
  • Diversion (where available) or reduction to a lesser offense
  • Negotiated restitution terms that minimize collateral fallout
  • Afterward, depending on the result, potential set-aside relief


What to do right now

  • Don’t discuss the incident with anyone but your lawyer
  • Preserve videos/photos, messages, repair invoices/estimates, and insurance notes
  • Document condition of the property (before/after photos if available)
  • Follow all release and no-contact conditions (especially in DV-tag cases)
  • Get a defense plan moving quickly — early action creates better options



Need Help Now?

Criminal Damage charges in Tucson or Southern Arizona can escalate quickly — especially where DV tags or high valuations are claimed. At Taylor Law Group, PLLC, you get clear guidance, focused investigation, and negotiation backed by nearly 25 years of criminal-law experience — led by a former Pima County Judge.


đź“ž Call or text (520) 440-5635 anytime, 24/7.


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FAQs - Criminal Damage

      What is “criminal damage” in Arizona?
Allegations of defacing/damaging property, tampering so property is substantially impaired, utility/critical-infrastructure damage, or graffiti without permission — charged under A.R.S. § 13-1602.

      Is criminal damage a misdemeanor or a felony?
It depends on the alleged dollar amount of damage and the type of property. Cases can range from misdemeanor to felony, with higher grades tied to larger valuations or utility/critical-infrastructure property.

  How does the State calculate “damage value”?
Prosecutors often rely on repair or replacement estimates, depreciation, and photos/video. Those numbers can be challenged — pre-existing wear, betterment, and inflated bids are common issues.

  Can I be charged if it’s “our” property or community property?
The statute targets property “of another.” In some situations — including shared/community property or items primarily in someone else’s possession — the State may still claim it qualifies. We examine ownership, possession, and consent.

  Do accidents count?
 Not if the State can’t prove the required mental state (often recklessness). Many cases turn on what you knew and what was foreseeable under the circumstances.

  Can a criminal damage case carry a domestic-violence tag?
Yes — if a qualifying relationship exists under A.R.S. § 13-3601 (e.g., breaking a partner’s phone). DV tags bring added conditions and collateral effects.

  What defenses apply most often?
Lack of intent/recklessness, ownership/permission issues, valuation disputes, no substantial impairment, misidentification, and evidence gaps (video, timestamps, tool marks).

  Will this be on my record? Can it be fixed later?
A conviction creates a criminal record. Depending on the outcome, some clients later pursue set-aside relief; eligibility is case-specific.

  Can these cases be reduced, diverted, or dismissed?
 Sometimes — especially where valuation is weak, intent isn’t proven, or ownership/consent undermines the charge. Early, targeted negotiation helps.

Why choose

TAYLOR LAW GROUP?


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Over 25 Years of Criminal Defense Experience 

Proven Results In & Out of Court

We Are Available 24/7 for All Clients

Former Pima County Judge

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