Vandalism & Graffiti

NJ Vandalism Lawyers

Vandalism & Graffiti - The Basics

Under the New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3), a person is guilty when he or she:

  • Purposely or knowingly causes damage to someone’s tangible property;
  • Recklessly or negligently causes damages someone’s tangible property using explosives, fire, or other dangerous means;
  • Purposely, knowingly or recklessly tampers with someone’s tangible property in a way that endangers person or property.

Vandalism & Graffiti - Penalties

Second-Degree Felony

Punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison and up to $150,000 in fines

  • tampering with or destroying any device used to regulate air traffic at an airport which recklessly causes death
  • tampering with or destroying any equipment involved in the carrying out of a public service which recklessly causes death

Third-Degree Felony

Punishable by 3 to 5 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines

  • causing more than $2,000 in losses
  • causing interruption, or impairment, of any public service such as communication, transportation, or supply of gas or water.
  • damaging or defacing any property used by a research facility or causing disruption of the facility
  • damaging or defacing any gravesite or human remains

Fourth-Degree Felony

Punishable by 6 to 18 months in prison and up to $10,000 in fines.

  • causing between $500 and $2,000 in damages
  • damaging any device used to regulate air traffic at an airport
    tampering with any airport or landing strip
  • breaking or digging up of pipes or mains used to supply gas or water to a building
    destroying any electric light wires or poles or any cable or television lines

Vandalism & Graffiti - $500- Damages?

Disorderly Persons Offense:

  • Punishable by up to 6 months in jail and $1,000 in fines.
  • Graffiti – If the damaging of the property involves graffiti, the defendant may be required to pay the owner of the defaced property the cost of the damage to the property and perform community service of either a minimum of 20 days, or the number of days required to remove the graffiti.
  • Destruction of Rental Property by Tenant – Any person convicted of criminal mischief which involves the destruction of rental premises by a tenant or former tenant in retaliation for eviction may also be required to pay the owner for the amount of damage caused.

Options

If you’ve been charged with Vandalism, have the following choices:

Plead Guilty

You will have to admit what you did under oath. This option will leave you with a criminal conviction. It will stay on your record for years and it will show up a background check.

Plead Guilty to a Downgraded Charge

This is one aspect of plea bargaining. Instead of admitting that you committed vandalism, we will work out a deal with the prosecutor where you plea guilty to a lesser offense.

Go To Trial & Get Acquitted

This means that a judge or jury listened to all of the evidence & decided that you are not guilty of committing vandalism.

Go To Trial & Get Convicted

This means that the judge listened to all of the evidence & decided that you did commit vandalism.

Dismiss Your Charges

Depending on the facts of your case, we may be able to get your criminal charges dismissed. It’s not easy, but we’ve been able to do it.

Vandalism, Graffiti & Other Charges

Vandalism & Graffiti charges are commonly charged with Trespassing & Criminal Mischief.

If you think about it, it makes sense.

You entered a property without permission (trespassing) and the act of painting graffiti could be described as criminal mischief.

Vandalism & Graffiti - Legal Defenses

This is a very difficult question to answer.

For example, you may get arrested because of a “false accusation”. 
Perhaps you have an “alibi” defense.
For example, this means that we can show proof that you did not commit the crime. We can show that you were out of the country.

It is important to examine all of the evidence against you before we develop a defense theory.

Can Vandalism Charges get Expunged?

If you plead guilty or are found guilty of vandalism, you can expunge the arrest and conviction after many years.

If you are acquitted at trial, you will not have a conviction. However, you will need to expunge the “arrest” record.

If you use the Conditional Dismissal program, you will need to wait one year to expunge your arrest record.

It is extremely important to expunge the record of your arrest because this will pop up on any & all background checks.

If I'm convicted at trial, can I appeal?

Yes.

Although appeals can be expensive, it’s definitely worth the money to try.
If you feel that you didn’t get a fair trial or that certain evidence was irrelevant, an appeal is a way to go.
I highly recommend that you hire an aggressive, criminal lawyer to represent you for your appeal.
There are specific steps that must be taken to (intelligently) file an appeal.
Please do not try to do this alone, get help!

Our Experience

You or a loved one have been arrested. Understandably, you are terrified & have a lot of questions. You’ve heard about plea bargains & probation, but the process is overwhelming. You want a local attorney near you to represent you.

Mr. Peyrouton is from Ridgewood & handles all types of criminal matters in New Jersey The New Jersey Law Journal recently published one of his articles on the subject of criminal law.

How We Can Help

Regardless of the criminal charges you are facing, we are here to defend & protect you. Whether you are facing a restraining order, drug charge, theft charge, or aggravated assault charge, we are here to help you. Even a DWI case can really complicate your life.

If we can’t get your charges dismissed, we can either get them downgraded or place you in a diversionary program. The point is, our criminal defense lawyers will fight tirelessly to get you the best result possible. Take advantage of our free consultation to see how we can help.

Our Practice Areas

Below, you will find a few of our practice areas.

Areas We Serve

Our Hackensack criminal lawyers represent clients in Bergen County & nearby counties & cities. 

Get Help With Your Case

How Do Your Free Consultations Work?

There are plenty of excellent Hackensack criminal lawyers in our area. Most, if not all of them, offer free, 20-minute, consultations. However, our free consultations do not have a time limit. You will never feel rushed.

The best way for us to help you is to patiently listen to your side of the story. Your version of events will serve as the basis for your legal defense. It is during these initial meetings that your memory of the event is fresh in your mind. Why we would rush you during such an important aspect of your case.

We understand that your choice of attorney could mean the difference between your freedom and spending years behind bars. 

When you hire an attorney, you are entering a long-term relationship. For this reason, it is important that you feel comfortable with the team of Hackensack criminal lawyers that will represent you.

What our clients say about us

Peyrouton Law
5.0
Based on 180 reviews
Nwe Tun
Nwe Tun
01:06 13 May 23
I didn't have to worry a thing abt my speeding ticket. Mr. Peyrouton took care of everything. He explained and answered my questions. I am happy with his service.
J Bean
J Bean
23:31 20 Apr 23
Natalia K.
Natalia K.
02:17 20 Apr 23
Absolutely amazing!!! Great communication from him and was on top of everything from the court date to the timing. Answered any questions I had and was very professional, patient, and understanding. Couldn’t ask for anyone better! Definitely would recommend his services to everyone I know. Thank you for everything Peyrouton Law!
Danya C.
Danya C.
15:05 15 Apr 23
Alan does amazing work, very professional and very communicative with me. Highly recommend! He’s also familiar with the judges and prosecutors in the courtrooms so that’s a plus! I wanted to thank you Alan for your knowledge regarding my matter.
Ava Cabrera
Ava Cabrera
15:25 03 Apr 23
This my main man everything he say be factz when he step in court room lawyers and judge already know who he is he don't be thirsty for money he be genuinely trying help people out all good vibes ......and I had other lawyers and I can't say the same for them
jemsley canela
jemsley canela
23:10 22 Mar 23
Lauren Serrano
Lauren Serrano
19:45 04 Mar 23
Extremely professional, on time, and responds immediately with any questions or concerns I had. Exceptional lawyer!
John B.
John B.
01:36 10 Feb 23
I met Alan and right off the bat I knew he was a straight shooter........I was facing alot of time and he didn't sugar coat my worst outcome and best outcome for hiring him to defend me.He was very reasonable priced and answered all my questions even if I repeated myself.All the way upto my court date he was responsive to all my calls and concerns. Other lawyers wanted outrageous fees and would tell me what i wanted to hear. Alan isn't like that at all. Not only was my case dismissed but he gave me great life advice. He is a true definition of a scholar and a gentleman!!!!!
Geselle Linares
Geselle Linares
21:31 22 Jan 23
I just wanted to get on here and say how amazing Alan is. He is very friendly and professional. He took care of everything and thankfully I did not stress one bit. Every time I had a question he was sure to answer within a reasonable time. If anyone is thinking about hiring him do not hesitate to contact him or his team!
Rosales Karen
Rosales Karen
03:24 18 Dec 22
Exelente abogado merece más de 5 estrellas una persona seria humilde el abogado alan es bien educado habla español trata de lo mejor A sus clientes exelente persona 😄 ✌
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