What constitutes criminal mischief?

Criminal mischief is defined specifically as the intentional and unlawful act of damaging someone else's property. This includes actions that may result in destruction, defacement, or alteration of physical property belonging to another person or entity. The key elements of criminal mischief are the intent to cause damage and the actual act of causing damage to property that is not owned by the perpetrator.

The other options relate to different criminal offenses. Unlawful entry with the intent to commit a crime describes burglary, which involves entering a structure without permission to commit an offense. The use of another's personal data for criminal purposes pertains to identity theft or fraud, involving deceit for financial gain or other benefits. Taking property by force or fear corresponds to robbery, which involves the unlawful taking of property through intimidation or violence. Each of these acts has distinct legal definitions and implications, differentiating them from the more straightforward crime of criminal mischief.