Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> LA Criminal Defense Blog

Criminal Law

: LA Criminal Defense Blog

Is Vandalism a Crime in Los Angeles?

By Steven Rodriguez

In a word, yes. “If it doesn’t belong to you and you deface, destroy or damage it without the owner’s permission, you have committed the crime of vandalism,” says expert Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez. Under California law, vandalism includes defacing property with graffiti, damaging property, or destroying the real or personal property of another. “While subway graffiti art, keying a parked car, or defacing a street sign may seem inconsequential,” Rodriguez warns, “these crimes qualify as vandalism by California lawmakers determined to bring an end to vandalism throughout the state.” Even street artists whose graffiti eventually transcends their subway roots to go mainstream are still considered criminals when their art is created on property without the owner’s permission...continue to full post

Full post as published by LA Criminal Defense Blog on February 11, 2009 (boomark / email).