Custodian enters elevator and discovers NASTY mess from chewing tobacco. Sheriff's office checks camera record and has clear record of person they recognize spitting in the elevator numberous times.

Question...what's the offense??

Lisa L. Peterson
Nolan County Attorney

Criminal mischief (28.03), maybe?

Class C Disorderly Conduct. Tex. Penal Code Ann. 42.01(a)(3).

JP Court. Probation. Community service by cleaning the courthouse bathrooms & elevators after a day with several juries.

Good ideas...how would I determine dollar amount for the Criminal Mischief? The amount of time it took the custodian to scrub down the elevator? Since the Juvenile Office is on 3rd floor, we periodically have young men leaving worse than tobacco behind - - I would really like to find a way to prosecute some of these. Thank goodness for security cameras!

Lisa L. Peterson
Nolan County Attorney

In addition to the other suggestions, you might consider putting signs in and near the elevators to let people know that they are being monitored by camera in the elevators. That might help prevent some of the behavior. Then go take that kid to the woodshed, slap him upside the head, and ask him if he knew what his momma would do to him if he got caught with the chaw.