N.Y. Penal Law Section 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 Real Property Actions & Proceedings Law § 1971-A (Destruction of abandoned dwellings)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.

Source: Section 145.00 — Criminal mischief in the fourth degree, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PEN/145.­00 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Dec. 13, 2025).

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Verified:
Dec. 13, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 145.00. Crim. mischief in the fourth degree's source at nysenate​.gov

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