California Vandalism Defense Lawyers
Vandalism Prosecution – California Penal Code Section 594
To prove that the defendant is guilty of California vandalism, the prosecution must prove that:
- The defendant maliciously defaced with graffiti, damaged, or destroyed real or personal property AND
- The defendant did not own the property AND
- (If the prosecution is charging a felony) The amount of damage caused by vandalism was $400 or more.
Someone acts maliciously when he or she intentionally does a wrongful act or when he or she acts with the unlawful intent to annoy or injure someone else.
Graffiti or other inscribed material includes an unauthorized inscription, word, figure, mark, or design that is written, marked, etched, scratched, drawn, or painted on real or personal property.
Damage need not be permanent
To deface property under California Penal Code 594, the defacement does not need to be permanent.
Damage cannot be aggregated
The prosecution cannot use an aggregated amount of damages. In other words, if the defendant defaced four houses with $100 of damage each, the prosecution cannot add the damage from the four houses to get a total of $400 in damage and then charge a felony.
Related Crimes:
Business Owners Cannot Sell Aerosol Paint to Minor - California Penal Code 594.1(a)(1)
It is a misdemeanor for anyone or business to sell/give aerosol paint to a minor.
Minors purchasing aerosol paint - California Penal Code 594.1(b)
It is unlawful for a minor to purchase aerosol paint. This crime is a misdemeanor.
Carrying Spray Paint on Public Streets - California Penal Code 594.1(d)-(e)
It is unlawful for anyone to carry spray paint while in a public facility like a park, playground, or recreational area. It is also unlawful to carry spray paint while on a public highway or street. These crimes are a misdemeanor.
Possessing Spray Paint with intent on committing vandalism – California Penal Code 594.2(a)
It is a misdemeanor for anyone possessing spray paint with the intent to commit vandalism or graffiti.
