Damage to Real Property is a Class 1 misdemeanor charge in North Carolina. To convict a defendant of this crime, the state must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that the defendant:
1. willfully and wantonly,
2. damaged, injured, or destroyed,
3. the real property of another.
For the purposes of this statute, North Carolina General Statute 14-127, "real property" includes land and anything affixed to it or part of it. This would include, for instance, buildings, fences, water, plants, and minerals in the ground, and includes both public and private property. Real property is distinguished from personal property (damage of which is covered by NCGS 14-160) and notably the severity of the crime is not related to the value of the property damage.
Our Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorneys have experience defending property damage crimes, and are available for free consultations regarding any criminal case. Call us at 919-828-1456 ext. 5, or use the contact form in the sidebar of this page to set up a teleconference or in person consultation.