Exam 8: Property Destruction Offenses

John is a member of a radical pro-life organization.He believes that virtually any means should be used to stop the performing of abortions.One evening police apprehend him as he is using a paintbrush to write "Stop the baby killers" on the side of a community medical clinic where abortions are performed.Which of the following statements is correct regarding this incident?

Stealing electrical service by wiring around the electric meter constitutes a form of criminal mischief.

Bob and Ray are former business partners.The partnership broke up when Bob accused Ray of cheating him.A few weeks later Bob encounters Ray in the lobby of a hotel.An argument and scuffle ensues between the two.They wrestle on the floor for a few seconds before friends break up the melee.Nonetheless,the scuffle succeeded in smashing a valuable lamp belonging to the hotel.As to the broken lamp Bob and Ray have committed:

An arson occurs if an individual damages a building due to recklessly causing an explosion while manufacturing a ___________ substance.

Under Texas law,for an arson conviction to stand the fire must be of an ___________ nature.

In crimes against property,the term "sacrilege" refers to the domestic buildings that surround and support a residence.

A detached garage adjoining a house in the suburbs is an example of a structure within the house's curtilage.

According to Texas statute,the word "habitation" means a structure or vehicle that is adapted for ___________ accommodation of persons.

If Ronald,an urban gang member,uses aerosol paint to "tag" a highway overpass,his conduct violates the Texas graffiti statute.

The offense of criminal mischief occurs if a person intentionally or knowingly tampers with the property of another and causes damage or substantial ___________.

Ralph,who lives on a 300-acre ranch,decides to cut down a grove of trees and remove the stumps so that the land can be used for cattle grazing.Ralph saws down the trees and then uses dynamite to assist in removing the tree stumps.He blows up about a dozen stumps.Ralph has committed:

The Texas anti-graffiti law is content neutral.This means that the nature or meaning of the markings are irrelevant to whether nor not a violation of the statute has occurred.The content-neutral approach is an effort to avoid allegations that the statute violates the:

An arson occurs if the owner of a dilapidated house uses fire to burn down the house and the house is located within the $\underline{ (\text { two words })}$ of a city.

Markings that constitute political,social,or religious expression are protected by the First Amendment and may not be prosecuted as a criminal offense.

One who tampers with property does NOT commit a criminal offense unless some actual harm -- pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience -- occurs.

Intentional damage to a person's reputation or good name does NOT violate the criminal mischief statute.

To determine whether or not graffiti placed on public property is a criminal violation,a jury must decide whether the display is "expressive conduct."

Negligent damage to property is a Class C misdemeanor regardless of the value of the property damaged.

Tom is angry that he received a failing grade in his criminal law class.The failing grade causes him to be suspended from school.Out of revenge,he lets the air out of the tires on the university president's car.The president comes out to find his vehicle with four flat tires.The flats cause him to miss an off campus fundraising speech he was scheduled to give.Tom has committed:

Under Texas law,a property owner who purposely burns his own property to defraud an insurance company must file the insurance claim before the elements of arson complete.