(a) A person is guilty of criminal mischief in the fourth degree when, having no reasonable ground to believe such person has a right to do so, such person intentionally or recklessly (1) damages or tampers with any fire hydrant or hydrant system owned by the state or a municipality, fire district or private water company; or (2) damages, tampers with or removes any tangible property owned by the state, a municipality or a person for fire alarm, smoke detection and alarm, fire suppressant or police alarm purposes; or (3) damages or tampers with any fire hydrant or hydrant system owned by the state or a municipality that is located on public land; or (4) damages, tampers with or removes any tangible property owned by the state or a municipality that is located on public land for fire alarm, smoke detection and alarm, fire suppressant or police alarm purposes.

(b) Criminal mischief in the fourth degree is a class C misdemeanor.

(P.A. 83-330, S. 2; P.A. 84-546, S. 125, 173; P.A. 85-132; P.A. 05-234, S. 7.)

History: P.A. 84-546 changed “public alarm purposes” to “police alarm purposes”; P.A. 85-132 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by prohibiting removal of any of the specified property and by including property used for smoke detection and alarm or fire suppressant purposes; P.A. 05-234 added Subsec. (a)(3) and (4) re damaging or tampering with any fire hydrant or hydrant system owned by the state or a municipality located on public land and re damaging, tampering with or removing any tangible property owned by the state or a municipality located on public land for fire alarm, smoke detection and alarm, fire suppressant or police alarm purposes and made technical changes, effective January 1, 2006.

See Sec. 53a-44a re surcharge on fine for criminal mischief on public land.

Cited. 20 CA 101.