A neighborhood incident over a parked vehicle’s side mirror turned into a Class 1 Misdemeanor Criminal Damage charge in Glendale City Court, paired with felony-range damage language in the complaint. Future First flagged the damage-calculation problem, secured diversion, and closed the case with no conviction.

At a glance

Court	Glendale City Court
Original charge	Criminal Damage (ARS § 13-1602(B)(4)), Class 1 Misdemeanor
Presumptive exposure	Up to 180 days jail, up to $2,500 base fine plus surcharges, up to 3 years probation, restitution, permanent criminal record
Result	Diversion completed, including anger management and full restitution; State filed Motion to Dismiss; court granted dismissal
Conviction	None
Eligibility for set aside	N/A (no conviction)
Eligibility for sealing	Immediate under ARS § 13-911 in 2020 (case ended in dismissal)

The stakes

The client faced a Class 1 Misdemeanor Criminal Damage charge in a Phoenix-area city court after a neighborhood block-party incident where the client closed a parked vehicle’s side mirror and damaged it. The complaint paired the charge with felony-range damage language even though the actual damage was a fraction of the felony threshold.

The client had no criminal history and faced up to 6 months in jail, fines up to $2,500, three years of probation, and a permanent criminal record. A property-damage misdemeanor sits on background checks indefinitely and shows up on employment screens, housing applications, and licensing reviews.

What we did

After Future First pointed out the State’s damage-calculation problem in writing, pushed for a civil-compromise track, and negotiated a diversion plea agreement with anger management and full restitution, the client completed every condition.

The State then filed a Motion to Dismiss, the court granted it in 2020, and no judgment of guilt was ever entered. The client walked away with no criminal conviction. Because the case was dismissed without a conviction, set aside under ARS § 13-905 does not apply. Arrest record sealing under ARS § 13-911 is available immediately. The client can apply now to seal the arrest record.

What our clients say

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If you’re facing a Criminal Damage charge in Arizona

Arizona’s Criminal Damage statute (ARS § 13-1602) operates on a damage-amount ladder. Damage under $250 is a Class 2 Misdemeanor. Damage from $250 to $1,000 is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Damage from $1,000 to $2,000 is a Class 6 Felony. Damage of $2,000 to $10,000 is a Class 5 Felony. Damage over $10,000 is a Class 4 Felony. The exact dollar figure controls the class, and that figure is supposed to be supported by a documented damage estimate.

Defense work on Criminal Damage often starts with the damage figure itself. When the complaint asserts a damage amount that does not match the documented repair estimate, a defense memo to the prosecutor can force a reduction in the charge class or open the door to diversion. Civil compromise is another path: when the property owner accepts restitution and agrees the matter is resolved, the State often agrees to dismiss the criminal case.

Future First Criminal Law has handled Criminal Damage cases across Maricopa County and Arizona. We know how Glendale City Court and other municipal courts handle damage-tier disputes, and how to position a case for diversion instead of conviction.

Related resources

Arizona criminal defense — full overview of how we handle misdemeanor and felony charges
Set aside and sealing in Arizona — how to clean up your record after a dismissal or conviction

Call us

Facing a Criminal Damage charge in Arizona? Call Future First Criminal Law at 602-900-7625 or request a free consultation. We have handled hundreds of misdemeanor cases at every tier across Arizona. The earlier we are involved, the more options you have.

Anonymized in line with firm policy. Client name not used. Specific dates approximated to year only. Outcome described reflects this client’s actual results. Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. For more detailed information on Arizona Criminal Damage law, visit the Arizona State Legislature website.