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• Vandalism
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When It’s More Than a Broken Window: Understanding California Vandalism Cases

Sometimes things happen, and property gets damaged or broken. But when the damage is deliberate or the property is destroyed with a malicious intent, it could be considered vandalism under California law.

When Is It Vandalism?

How does the law define vandalism? According to California Penal Code Section 594, someone who maliciously does one of the following actions, may be found guilty of vandalism:

• Defaces property with graffiti or other inscribed material
• Damages or destroys real or personal property that belongs to someone else

If you are accused of vandalism, be aware that the state of California doesn’t take this type of crime lightly. For example, if you are found guilty of vandalizing property, you could be looking at imprisonment or a hefty fine.
Vandalism comes in many different forms and can involve various types of property. Some of the common examples of vandalism include:

• Spray painting the wall of a privately-owned building
• “Keying” someone’s car
• Breaking a window
• Smashing mailboxes

While some of the above activities might not seem like a big deal, in the eyes of the prosecution, they are major offenses. The prosecution believes that vandalism is a big deal and that perpetrators should be punished according to the law. If you have been accused of vandalizing property, though, don’t give up. An experienced Torrance vandalism attorney may be able to build a strong defense on your behalf.

Getting Legal Help for Your California Vandalism Case

At the Law Offices of McGregor & Ernenwein, our Torrance vandalism lawyers know what the prosecution looks at when building cases. How do we know this information? Our firm’s founders are former Los Angeles prosecutors who understand how these cases are handled. As our client, we will apply this knowledge to your case to help you avoid jail time and a significant fine.
To talk with someone about your specific situation, contact our office today by calling 310-782-0552 or 877-338-4489. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.