Penalties for Vandalism in California: How Bad Can They Get?
At first glance, vandalism might seem like a relatively minor offense – but it can trigger considerable penalties under certain circumstances. The term “vandal” dates back to ancient times, referring to the name of a tribe famous for looting and pillaging. Today, vandalism may involve virtually any kind of intentional property damage. What should you do if you face vandalism charges in California?
Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP may be able to help if you face criminal charges for vandalism. This California criminal defense law firm has helped numerous defendants fight for their rights over the years. Attorney Stephen Levine is a California criminal defense attorney with considerable litigation experience. He has been practicing law for more than five decades after graduating from Western State University of Law in San Diego.
What is the Definition of Vandalism in California?
According to California law, you may face vandalism charges for various acts, including the destruction, damage, or defacing of real or personal property. “Defacing” generally involves graffiti and similar acts. “Real” property is a house or building, whereas personal property includes things like cars, boats, trains, and so on.
This property may be publicly or privately owned. In other words, you can face vandalism charges for damaging or defacing someone’s private possessions or property of the government. Examples of this “public property” include things like government vehicles, government buildings, trains, and so on.
In 2022, a church in Redlands was vandalized three times in a single week. Pastors and church workers reported that after security systems made them aware of trespassers, they arrived to find “curse words and anti-church words” across the church. This particular incident was investigated as a hate crime, and two suspects were quickly taken into custody.
In 2021, vandals defaced a statue of a mammoth along the US-60 freeway in Jurupa Valley. The statue was covered in “10 gallons” of various shades of paint, and officials needed to raise “several thousands” of dollars to repair the sculpture. Fortunately, the damage was only cosmetic and not structural. Officials seemed confident that the statue could be repainted to restore its previous condition. This was not the first time the statue had been defaced.
This is an example of felony vandalism, since the damage cost more than $400 to repair. However, it is not an example of a hate crime – since the mammoth statue does not represent any religion.
What are the Penalties for Vandalism in California?
The penalties for vandalism in California depend on the extent of the damage. If you cause less than $400 worth of damage, you could face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If you have prior vandalism or similar charges on your record, you could face an increased fine of $1,000 for subsequent offenses (assuming the damage is still under $400).
Penalties become more severe if you cause more than $400 of damage, and you could face a felony charge. Damage of more than $400 is a “wobbler” offense in California, which means it can become either a felony or a misdemeanor. This could lead to up to three years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
Why Vandalism Charges Could Be Worse Than You Realize
At first glance, it might seem like minor acts of vandalism are unlikely to cross the $400 threshold. However, the cost of repairing even minor damage is higher than most realize. This is especially true for damage to government properties. Wiping away a small amount of graffiti may cost thousands of dollars, and government contractors often inflate their prices. More serious acts of vandalism may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix. Some types of property are effectively priceless and irreplaceable, such as artistic sculptures or historical relics.
Vandalism also commonly involves hate crime enhancements. For example, you might have been accused of vandalizing a church, mosque, or synagogue. If prosecutors can prove your vandalism was motivated by hate or prejudice, you could face much more severe consequences – even for a small graffiti tag. These enhancements can add many years to your normal sentence for vandalism.
What are Some Recent Examples of Vandalism in Redlands?
Redlands has seen its fair share of vandalism in recent years. In December of 2024, it was reported that a man entered a chapel in Redlands before allegedly causing $20,000 of damage. Witnesses say that the man was going through a personal crisis. His reported words during the vandalism suggest he felt “Jesus had let him down.” He smashed three statues, threatened someone who was praying, and damaged other aspects of the chapel.
One woman claims that the suspect threw a potted plant at her while she was trying to pray. Initially, the man seemed to escape capture – but witnesses described his vehicle to law enforcement. Soon thereafter, police announced that they had arrested the man who allegedly carried out the vandalism.
At first glance, this seems like a textbook example of a hate crime. However, it seems clear that the man was a Christian. Various witnesses confirmed that he was loudly complaining about Jesus, indicating that the man fully believed in Christ and was frustrated at his perceived lack of protection from the religious figure. In other words, he may escape hate crime charges because he was not attacking people or property associated with a different faith.
Contact an Established California Criminal Defense Law Firm
If you face consequences for vandalism in California, consider contacting Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP. Our experienced California criminal defense lawyers are familiar with some of the more serious penalties associated with property damage – including hate crime enhancements. The truth is that vandalism can become extremely serious in the Golden State, and it makes sense to fight for your rights in the most effective way possible. Call 909-894-0812 today to discuss potential strategies with our criminal defense attorneys.
Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.