6. Criminal Damage Offences Flashcards

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1
Q

When does a defendant commit criminal damage?

A

When they, without lawful excuse, destroy or damage property belonging to another intending to do so, or being reckless as to whether the property is destroyed or damaged

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2
Q

What is the general test for whether property is damaged?

A
  1. Usefulness or value is impaired, and/or
  2. Will involve effort or expense to repair
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3
Q

Only what type of property can be damaged?

A

Physical property

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4
Q

What types of property are specifically excluded from criminal damage?

A

Wild plants, and fungi

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5
Q

What is the exception to the rule that a person generally cannot commit criminal damage to property they own?

A

If the property is co-owned with another

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6
Q

To commit criminal damage, what must the defendant know or believe?

A

That the property belongs to another

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7
Q

What are the two defences to criminal damage?

A

Defendant:

  1. Believes owner did or would consent, or
  2. Honestly believes their own property is in immediate need of protection and this is reasonable in the circumstances
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8
Q

Does life actually need to be endangered to sustain a charge for aggravated criminal damage?

A

No

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9
Q

What are the other two differences between criminal damage and aggravated criminal damage?

A
  1. Property can belong to the defendant
  2. The defences to criminal damage do not apply
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10
Q

As an aside, why do the criminal damage defences not apply to aggravated criminal damage?

A
  1. Owner consent defence: Because it would be unusual to allow the owner of property to consent to the endangerment of life
  2. Protecting own property defence: Because the law does not allow human life to be endangered for the protection of property (like how self-defence can permit lethal force but never to protect property alone)
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11
Q

What is (1) arson and (2) aggravated arson?

A

Arson is criminal damage by fire
Aggravated arson is aggravated criminal damage by fire

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12
Q

Damage by what alone will not amount to arson, but merely criminal damage?

A

Damage by smoke, but not fire

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13
Q

What is the additional mens rea requirement to elevate criminal damage to aggravated criminal damage?

A

Defendant must intend or be reckless as to the endangerment of life by the exact damage caused to the property.

Life does not actually have to be endangered, but D checking to make sure there are no people around such that no life could be endangered will negate the aggravated part of the offence.

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