Arkansas § 5-38-203 - Criminal mischief in the first degree.
Full text of Arkansas Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 5-38-203 — Criminal mischief in the first degree., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 5-38-203. Criminal mischief in the first degree.
A person commits the offense of criminal mischief in the first degree if he or she purposely and without legal justification destroys or causes damage to any: Property of another; or Property, whether his or her own or property of another, for the purpose of collecting any insurance for the property. Criminal mischief in the first degree is a: Class A misdemeanor if the amount of actual damage is one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less; Class D felony if the amount of actual damage is more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) but five thousand dollars ($5,000) or less; Class C felony if the amount of actual damage is more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) but less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000); or Class B felony if the amount of actual damage is twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more. In an action under this section involving cutting and removing timber from the property of another person: The following create a presumption of a purpose to commit the offense of criminal mischief in the first degree: The failure to obtain the survey as required by § 15-32-101; or The purposeful misrepresentation of the ownership or origin of the timber; and There is imposed in addition to a penalty in subsection (b) of this section a fine of not more than two (2) times the value of the timber destroyed or damaged. However, in addition to subdivision (c)(2)(A) of this section, the court may require the defendant to make restitution to the owner of the timber. A person convicted of a felony offense under this section is subject to an enhanced sentence of an additional term of imprisonment of five (5) years at the discretion of the court if the finder of fact finds that the damage to property involved the removal of nonferrous metal, as it is defined in § 17-44-101.
Source: official Arkansas text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas § 5-38-203
What does Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 5-38-203 cover?
Section 5-38-203 ("Criminal mischief in the first degree.") is part of the Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated, the codified statutory law of Arkansas. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Arkansas § 5-38-203?
A common citation format is "Arkansas Code of 1987 Annotated § 5-38-203" (Arkansas). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Arkansas law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Arkansas official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Arkansas attorney.
How does Arkansas § 5-38-203 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Arkansas can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Arkansas.