Criminal Mischief BAIL BONDS
Dallas County, Texas
Criminal mischief charges in Dallas County are tiered entirely by the dollar value of property damage, ranging from simple graffiti citations to first-degree felony charges for damages exceeding $300,000. Act Quick Bail Bonds posts criminal mischief bonds at every level at Lew Sterrett Justice Center 24/7 — including cases involving damage to schools, places of worship, public monuments, or critical infrastructure, which carry enhanced charge levels under Texas law. Call (214) 744-1414 anytime; our licensed agents work day and night.
Criminal Mischief in Dallas County
- Statute
- Texas Penal Code §28.03
- Classification
- Range: Class C Misdemeanor through 1st-Degree Felony — classified by dollar amount of damage
- Statutory Penalty
- Under $100: Class C (fine only). $100–$750: Class B. $750–$2,500: Class A. $2,500–$30,000: state jail felony. $30,000–$150,000: 3rd-degree. $150,000–$300,000: 2nd-degree. Over $300,000: 1st-degree (5–99 years or life).
- Escalation / Notes
- Damage to a place of worship, school, public monument, or community center elevates the charge by one classification level. Tampering with critical infrastructure is a state jail felony minimum.
Criminal mischief is defined under Texas Penal Code Section 28.03 as intentionally or knowingly damaging, destroying, or tampering with another person’s property without consent. In Dallas County, criminal mischief charges are among the most common property crime arrests and cover everything from spray-painting graffiti on a building to smashing car windows to causing significant structural damage. The charge classification is determined by the dollar amount of damage: under $100 is a Class C misdemeanor, $100 to $750 is a Class B misdemeanor, $750 to $2,500 is a Class A misdemeanor, $2,500 to $30,000 is a state jail felony, $30,000 to $150,000 is a third-degree felony, $150,000 to $300,000 is a second-degree felony, and damage exceeding $300,000 is a first-degree felony. Dallas County prosecutors also apply enhanced charges when the property damaged is a public monument, community center, place of worship, school, or government facility. Bond amounts at Lew Sterrett reflect the charge level, and magistrates may impose restitution-related conditions as part of the bond. Act Quick Bail Bonds handles criminal mischief bonds across all charge levels and can post bond as soon as magistration is complete.
How Criminal Mischief Bonds Work
Arrest & Booking
After an arrest on criminal mischief charges in Dallas County, the defendant is transported to Lew Sterrett Justice Center for booking. Personal information, fingerprints, and photographs are recorded before the magistration process.
Magistration
A Dallas County magistrate reviews the criminal mischief charge and sets a bond amount based on the severity of the offense, criminal history, and flight risk. Bond schedules for criminal mischief cases vary depending on specific circumstances of the arrest.
Bond Posted
Once the bond amount is set, a licensed bail bond agent files the necessary paperwork with Dallas County. Act Quick Bail Bonds handles all documentation and coordination with the jail to expedite the release process.
Release
After the bond is posted and processed, the defendant is released from custody. Release timelines vary based on current facility conditions and volume.
Initial Check-In — Required
Within 24 to 72 hours of release, the defendant must report to our office for a mandatory initial check-in. We review all court dates, bond conditions, and reporting requirements. Failure to complete this check-in results in bond forfeiture and a new warrant for the defendant's arrest.