New Jersey § 2c:17-3

§ 2c:17-3.

a. Offense defined. A person is guilty of criminal mischief if he: (1) Purposely or knowingly damages tangible property of another or damages tangible

property of another recklessly or negligently in the employment of fire, explosives

or other dangerous means listed in subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:17-2 ; or (2) Purposely, knowingly or recklessly tampers with tangible property of another so

as to endanger person or property, including the damaging or destroying of a rental

premises by a tenant in retaliation for institution of eviction proceedings. b. Grading. (1) Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor purposely or knowingly

causes pecuniary loss of $2,000.00 or more. (2) Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor causes pecuniary

loss in excess of $500.00 but less than $2000.00. It is a disorderly persons offense if the actor causes pecuniary loss of $500.00

or less. (3) Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor damages, defaces,

eradicates, alters, receives, releases or causes the loss of any research property

used by the research facility, or otherwise causes physical disruption to the functioning

of the research facility. The term “ physical disruption ” does not include any lawful activity that results from public, governmental, or

research facility employee reaction to the disclosure of information about the research

facility. (4) Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor damages, removes

or impairs the operation of any device, including, but not limited to, a sign, signal,

light or other equipment, which serves to regulate or ensure the safety of air traffic

at any airport, landing field, landing strip, heliport, helistop or any other aviation

facility; however, if the damage, removal or impediment of the device recklessly

causes bodily injury or damage to property, the actor is guilty of a crime of the

third degree, or if it recklessly causes a death, the actor is guilty of a crime of

the second degree. (5) Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor interferes or tampers

with any airport, landing field, landing strip, heliport, helistop or any other aviation

facility; however if the interference or tampering with the airport, landing field,

landing strip, heliport, helistop or other aviation facility recklessly causes bodily

injury or damage to property, the actor is guilty of a crime of the third degree,

or if it recklessly causes a death, the actor is guilty of a crime of the second degree. (6) Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor tampers with a grave,

crypt, mausoleum or other site where human remains are stored or interred, with the

purpose to desecrate, destroy or steal such human remains or any part thereof. (7) Criminal mischief is a crime of the third degree if the actor purposely or knowingly

causes a substantial interruption or impairment of public communication, transportation,

supply of water, oil, gas or power, or other public service. Criminal mischief is a crime of the second degree if the substantial interruption

or impairment recklessly causes death. (8) Criminal mischief is a crime of the fourth degree if the actor purposely or knowingly

breaks, digs up, obstructs or otherwise tampers with any pipes or mains for conducting

gas, oil or water, or any works erected for supplying buildings with gas, oil or water,

or any appurtenances or appendages therewith connected, or injures, cuts, breaks down,

destroys or otherwise tampers with any electric light wires, poles or appurtenances,

or any telephone, telecommunications, cable television or telegraph wires, lines,

cable or appurtenances. c. A person convicted of an offense of criminal mischief that involves an act of graffiti

may, in addition to any other penalty imposed by the court, be required to pay to

the owner of the damaged property monetary restitution in the amount of the pecuniary

damage caused by the act of graffiti and to perform community service, which shall

include removing the graffiti from the property, if appropriate. If community service is ordered, it shall be for either not less than 20 days or

not less than the number of days necessary to remove the graffiti from the property. d. As used in this section: “ Act of graffiti ” means the drawing, painting or making of any mark or inscription on public or private

real or personal property without the permission of the owner. e. A person convicted of an offense of criminal mischief that involves the damaging

or destroying of a rental premises by a tenant in retaliation for institution of eviction

proceedings, may, in addition to any other penalty imposed by the court, be required

to pay to the owner of the property monetary restitution in the amount of the pecuniary

damage caused by the damage or destruction.