Is a juvenile vandalism charge serious?

Vandalism costs municipalities and districts hundreds of thousands of dollars in clean-up costs. Additionally, defacement of property brings down its value and is an open door to other types of crimes. Given these facts, vandalism is taken more seriously these days. Vandalism is defined as willful or malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement or defacement of any public or private property without the owner's consent. Acts of vandalism include such actions as spraying graffiti on property, keying cars, overturning headstones as well as other mischief. A substantial number of vandalism crimes are committed by teenagers as pranks, but these pranks can carry heavy penalties.

If you do not own it, do not deface it.  Vandalism is the term for crimes such as graffiti, keying cars, toppling headstones, and virtually any other activity that causes damages to private or public property.  Those activities may seem like brave rites of passage to teenagers, but they are serious crimes that carry heavy penalties depending on the specific target of vandalism. Under the juvenile justice system a minor offender can be charged with either a misdemeanor (for damages of $400 or less) or a felony (for damages that exceed a value of $400).

Vandalism Penalties  

Possible penalties for vandalism include:

• Repairing the damaged property
• Paying for someone else to repair the damaged property
• Fines (often of $500 or more)
• Expulsion from school
• Counseling
• Detention in a juvenile facility
• Community service
• Up to 3 years of probation
• In some cases, even time in jail

In some jurisdictions, juvenile offenders can receive a criminal record for vandalism crimes. In first time offenses though a juvenile judge has discretion in sentencing options. If you face a charge of juvenile vandalism, it is advisable to seek counsel with an experienced defense attorney to avoid various vandalism punishments.