What is the primary intent of committing criminal mischief?

The primary intent of committing criminal mischief is to cause damage to property. This offense is typically defined by actions that intentionally or recklessly result in the destruction, alteration, or impairment of tangible property owned by another individual or entity. The focus of criminal mischief is on the harm caused to physical assets rather than the motivations such as creating chaos, threatening individuals, or committing theft. Each of these motivations may involve other distinct crimes, but the essence of criminal mischief centers specifically on property damage.