Guest Post By: Christopher J McCann an Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney on How California Graffiti Laws Are Helping Communities

In the recent past there have been many cases documented where people have vandalized store fronts, subways, billboards and residential homes with graffiti. Vandals do this action for a number of reasons that include but are not limited to marking a territory to a particular gang or for the expression of art form.

Unfortunately, none of this applies because California graffiti laws expressly prohibit defacing property of an establishment. Whether the establishment is commercial or residential, the law considers this action vandalism.

Graffiti hurts the community in a number of ways. It costs money to clean up the defacement, potential customers are wary of entering a neighborhood where graffiti is evident and it is not a good sight to have. Property values go down when potential investors look at the neighborhood as well.

California graffiti laws are precluded to prosecute on the grounds of vandalism and initially can be considered misdemeanors. However, the crime of misdemeanors can be elevated to a felony if certain circumstances apply. Those circumstances include damages over $400 or for repeat offenders. If the building being defaced is religious in nature then it can be considered a hate crime.

If a person has been charged under the penal code of vandalism a number of outcomes may happen. That person may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony and in either case a number of penalties may apply. Having a lawyer featured on Flock Of Legals or my bios answer of  Christopher J McCann that covers Orange County and Los Angeles that has the experience to defend people in these type situations, could be one of the best decisions that a person can make.

Without an experienced lawyer by the side of a defendant charged under California graffiti laws will undoubtedly lead to dire circumstances. If this is a first offense violation, then the probability of a lesser sentence can be considered with the lead of an experienced attorney.

Check out related post on What you need to know from a California graffiti law lawyer.

About Guest Post Author: 

For more information on California criminal laws, contact The Law Offices of Christopher J McCann at cjmdefense.com. Christopher J. McCann has a great wealth of experience and blogs about things like what does SR-22 DUI Insurance cover to Calif DUI with Suspended Licence Law in Orange County & Los Angeles.  You can follow his tweets at @CJM_Law_Firm