What constitutes criminal mischief?

Criminal mischief is defined as a situation where an individual intentionally or recklessly damages someone else's property without consent. The essence of this definition lies in the unauthorized destruction or alteration of property, which is a key element in establishing the offense.

In this context, recklessly damaging property implies that the individual acted with disregard for the consequences of their actions, suggesting a lack of care regarding the potential harm to another's property. This distinguishes criminal mischief from other offenses, such as theft or burglary, where the intent and actions center around taking property or unlawfully entering premises for illicit purposes.

The other options present scenarios that do not align with the legal definition of criminal mischief. For instance, intentionally damaging property with consent does not constitute a crime since the owner has agreed to the action. Stealing property is classified under theft, while breaking into a structure to commit a crime falls under burglary. Each of these offenses involves different elements and intentions that set them apart from criminal mischief.