The laws of the United States consider criminal mischief as a crime against another person’s personal property. This includes any sort of willful damage or vandalism, such as breaking windows or cutting into someone’s car tires. The mischief can also reach the point of willfully destroying property as well. Criminal mischief also occurs when a willful action interferes with a person’s ability to use and enjoy their property in the usual manner, or makes the property dangerous or impossible to use as accustomed. Criminal mischief can also be committed against data when it is changed, damaged, or destroyed, or when this destruction keeps it from being accessible by those who have authority to do so. Criminal mischief that somehow causes a person’s life to be in danger can be punishable by life in prison. If the property damage done by the mischief exceeds the sum of $5000, the punishment could be a prison term for up to ten years. Any damage done that is lower than $5000 is punishable by a sentence of up to two years in prison.