Tenant in place has damaged property

[Martha Kristye McDonald]

I have a couple who have rented from me for over 8 years.  The wife has gotten into drugs.  The husband is a very responsible and a good tenant.  Wife leaves for weeks at a time and husband works and takes care of children.  Wife has come back to house while husband and children are gone and torn up both entry doors and a window.  Husband is seeking legal help to get her out for good.  Am I able to press charges on the wife for this damage, even though she is legally looked at as a tenant?

[Greg M.]

Contrary to TV shows, people do not file charges. DA's file charges. Best you can do is make a police report. Depending on the area you are in, this might result in your report being placed in a giant pile labeled ignore that is turned over to the DA's office, or it might actually be investigated and charges filed. 

Why not just get them fixed and give the bill to the husband? They're both legally responsible. Let the husband deal with getting her out of his life and off the lease.