We have all heard the phrase, “you break it, you bought it.” For a man from Jersey City, it was “you break, you get arrested for it” after he knocked over $84.95 worth of wine at a liquor store in Hoboken. When the man refused to pay for the broken bottles, the store owner called the police.
What some people may have called a momentary lapse in judgment, the police called criminal mischief. The 54-year-old man was arrested by police after the incident.
According to the police report, the man had entered the liquor store in a manner that was described as swaying. He bumped into a display of wine bottles and several of them fell to the floor, breaking upon impact. The man allegedly agreed to pay for the broken bottles, but refused after he learned of the cost of the five bottles that broke. The defendant was later arrested based upon the description the store clerk gave to police.
Although some people might call the incident an accident that got out of hand and not take it seriously, even a charge of criminal mischief can affect a person’s future. When convicted with a crime — even a small one — it means that a person has a criminal record. Having a criminal record could prevent someone from getting the job that they want or could have an effect on obtaining the loan necessary for a business or home.
When faced with a charge like this one, it is important to remember that the future is at stake. When an incident such as this one does not result in criminal charges, it could end up becoming a story shared as an anecdote. However, when criminal charges could alter life plans, it is not a laughing matter.
Source: nj.com, “Jersey City man arrested for allegedly knocking wine bottles off Hoboken liquor store display, fleeing: police,” Travis Fedschum, April 11, 2012