A person is driving under the influence and causes property damage. What crime have they committed?

In cases of driving under the influence that leads to property damage, the appropriate charge typically falls under a 1st degree misdemeanor. This classification is often applicable as the law recognizes that driving under the influence is a serious offense, but property damage without injuries usually does not escalate to the level of a felony, which would involve either significant harm or other aggravating circumstances.

A 1st degree misdemeanor reflects the severity of the act without elevating it to a felony level, aligning with the legal principles aimed at deterring reckless behavior behind the wheel while acknowledging that the impact was limited to property rather than personal injury or death. The law seeks to impose penalties that are proportionate to the offense committed, therefore categorizing property damage under these circumstances as a 1st degree misdemeanor is coherent with the legal framework.