Injury to Real Property
When two people are living together in a domestic relationship, whether it be heterosexual or homosexual, one of the partners frequently owns the residence while the other just lives there. In many domestic violence situations, buildings and objects get damaged. It is very important to note that injury to real property (IRP) and injury to personal property (IPP) are two charges that domestic partners frequently face.
Injury to real property is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 120 days in jail. To be guilty of the offense, one has to willfully or wantonly damage, destroy or injure the real property of another. Remember that real property must be land, buildings, or fixtures to buildings. Examples would include, doors, walls, air conditioning systems etc.
Travis and Joe are two friends living in a large sized condominium in a very affluent part of town. Travis is a corporate executive and bought the high-rise condo a few years ago. After being friends with Joe for 8 months, he decided to let Joe move in with him. After all, Joe was hanging out more and more at Travis’s luxurious condo. Joe is very thankful to have a friend like Travis. Unfortunately, Travis begins to invite another friend, Chris, over more and more often. Joe begins to become jealous as he sees the relationship develop between Chris and Travis. When Joe confronts Travis about Chris, Travis informs Joe that he will have to move out, and that Chris has become his new roommate. Joe is crushed. He kicks 5 holes in the plaster walls in Travis’s condo as he storms out of the building. Chris and Travis call the police and Joe is arrested. He is charged with injury to real property and faces up to 120 days in the county jail.