Vandalism is considered a property crime in Santa Clarita, CA. Individuals accused of vandalism could be charged with an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony. The results of a conviction can include fines and time behind bars as well as a requirement to perform community service.
Simmrin Law Group has helped thousands of clients face criminal charges like yours. Our criminal defense lawyers serving Santa Clarita will investigate your situation, guide you through the legal process, and fight to protect you from serious penalties and a criminal record.
Speak with our vandalism lawyer serving Santa Clarita today so we can begin constructing a strong defense for you.
Understanding Vandalism Charges in Santa Clarita
We mentioned that vandalism was considered a property crime. You could face vandalism charges if you are accused of damaging, defacing, or destroying someone else’s property without their permission.
Generally, vandalism charges should only apply if you acted maliciously to damage, deface, or destroy someone else’s property. Accidental damage should not be prosecuted as vandalism. While vandalism charges may not be as serious as white collar crimes, violent crimes, sex offenses, and grand theft, they can still leave a mark on your record.
Fortunately, our property crimes lawyers taking cases in Santa Clarita can help if you were accused of vandalizing privately or publicly owned property. Reach out to us as soon as you are arrested and schedule a free case evaluation with our vandalism lawyer serving Santa Clarita.
For a free legal consultation with a vandalism lawyer serving Santa Clarita, call (310) 896-2723
Types of Vandalism Charges in California
Vandalism may be prosecuted at different levels of severity depending upon the amount of destruction caused and the number of times an individual engages in vandalism. This means that you could face charges for a(n):
Infraction
Infraction charges are used if someone causes less than $250 in damage through an act of vandalism. Note that infraction charges are generally only used for first-time or single acts of vandalism.
Misdemeanor
The California court system could charge you with a misdemeanor if you are accused of causing between $250 and $400 of damage through vandalism. Multiple smaller acts of vandalism may also be prosecuted as a misdemeanor.
Felony
Felony vandalism charges are specifically used to prosecute individuals who cause more than $400 of damage. Felony charges represent the most serious charges you can face for vandalism.
If you’re facing felony charges, our vandalism lawyers serving Santa Clarita are here to provide the legal representation you deserve. We’ll defend you in Santa Clarita courts and work tirelessly to get a positive outcome.
Santa Clarita Vandalism Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Penalties for Santa Clarita Vandalism Convictions
The court system can hand down harsh penalties if you are convicted of vandalism. Our vandalism attorneys serving Santa Clarita have a deep understanding of the consequences associated with these criminal offenses and how to protect you from them.
Fines
- Up to $1,000 for an infraction
- Up to $3,000 for a misdemeanor
- Up to $10,000 for felony criminal charges
Incarceration
- Between six months and one year for misdemeanor charges
- Up to one year for felony charges
Additional Penalties
You may also be required to complete court-ordered community service if you are convicted of vandalism. You could be put on probation, and the court also reserves the right to suspend your driver’s license for up to two years if you are convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony.
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Defend Yourself from Vandalism Accusations
As you can see, a vandalism conviction can have serious impacts on your life. The good news is that you can deal with these charges by hiring a vandalism attorney from Santa Clarita. A lawyer from our team will provide aggressive legal support and assistance with the following:
Legal Interviews
Prosecutors and police officers will likely question you about the charges you are facing. You should not answer any questions related to your case until you have help from a criminal defense lawyer. Everything you say in these interviews can be used against you later on.
Bail Hearings
You may be allowed to pay bail in order to remain free until your criminal trial. A property crimes lawyer can work to ensure that you get the lowest possible bail payment by handling your bail hearing.
Plea Bargains
In some cases, vandalism charges may be reduced through a plea bargain. This can result in less severe penalties. However, you will still have to plead guilty if you accept a plea bargain, so do not take any of these deals before they have been assessed by a legal professional.
Your Defense
It’s important to build a strong defense as quickly as possible if you are accused of vandalism in Santa Clarita. Your lawyer can assess your needs right away and review the facts of your case. We may be able to show that any damage you caused was accidental.
We can also work to block evidence against you, making it more difficult for a prosecutor to secure a conviction.
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Common Defenses Against Vandalism Charges in California
Getting charged with vandalism does not mean you will be convicted. Our vandalism lawyers serving Santa Clarita will review every detail of your case to build the strongest possible defense.
Michael Simmrin has tried over 100 jury trials and is not afraid to take your case to court if that is what it takes to protect you. Some of the defenses we may use include:
- Lack of intent: Vandalism charges require proof that you acted maliciously, so our team will work to show that any damage you caused was accidental or unintentional.
- Mistaken identity: We will review surveillance footage, witness statements, police reports, and other evidence to prove that you were not the person responsible for the damage.
- Consent from the property owner: If the property owner gave you permission to alter their property, our lawyers will work to establish that authorization and get the charges dismissed.
- Insufficient evidence: The prosecution must prove you committed vandalism beyond a reasonable doubt, and our criminal defense team will challenge any evidence that does not hold up to scrutiny.
- False accusations: Vandalism charges sometimes stem from personal disputes or misunderstandings. We will investigate to find out if accusations were made for the wrong reasons.
Call a Vandalism Lawyer Serving Santa Clarita Today
Take charge if you are accused of vandalism in Santa Clarita. Call Simmrin Law Group or complete our online contact form to reach our dedicated professionals. Our vandalism lawyers serving Santa Clarita can provide you with personalized legal support now.
We’ll meet with you for a free case evaluation to discuss the charges you’re facing, answer any questions you have about defending against accusations of vandalism, and explain what our team will do to protect your permanent record and future.
We are available 24/7.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form