VANDALISM AND CRIMINAL LAW IN CALIFORNIA

The state of California has strict rules when it comes to vandalism and harming others’ property. Be it an adult or a kid, one simply cannot get away with harming another’s property. The laws are in place to protect the property value and maintain a sense of order in the society. If the harm is less than $400, it will be considered a misdemeanor. And if the damage is over the cost of $400, it falls under the category of a felony. Continue reading this article to find out what constitutes vandalism and how to get out of a false acquisition of the same.

  1. Types of Vandalism: If you intentionally draft a design or graffiti over someone else’s property, it will be considered an act of vandalism. When you do a similar thing on a property that you owned jointly with someone else, the same charges will apply.
  • For example, if your son uses a marker and writes his name on the neighbor’s window, it will be considered vandalism. If you have an argument with your wife and decide to paint offensive words over your garage door, that too can be seen as vandalism if your wife is the joint owner of the house.
  • Keying a car and writing your name on the wet cement are also examples of vandalism that can get you behind the bars.
  1. The Law: As mentioned above, vandalism can be classified into two categories based on the amount of total damage done. Anyone committing vandalism can be arrested under Penal Code 594 PC and produced to the court for the same. One arrested for vandalism can expect the following penalties.
  • Up to one full year of prison sentencing.
  • A fine of up to $1000 if it is a misdemeanor; If, however you have a prior record of vandalism, the highest amount can go up to $500. The amount can go up to $50,000 for a felony.
  • You can have your driver’s license suspended for up to two years.
  1. Getting Bailed Out: Nobody anticipates an arrest, especially for little things such as painting graffiti on an empty wall. But the rules are to be followed by all, and if one fails to follow the rules, he will face jail-time. An arrest can put a blow to the professional career and social life of an individual; that is why opting for bail is the right way to go.
  • People do not always have enough money to bail their loved ones out of jail. But to leave them inside the cell, just because you do not have the sum, seems cruel. One may access reliable and affordable bail bonds service in Santa Barbara to get their loved ones out of the jail.
  • One needs to pay 10% -15% of the whole amount as a fee to the bondsman, and the rest will be taken care of. Opting for bail will allow you to get out of the jail and hire an attorney to represent you in the courthouse.

If you feel wrongfully accused of a crime you did not commit, fight for your rights. If you follow the court rules thoroughly, you can expunge the arrest record after the end of the probation period.

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