Pennsylvania law takes crimes of vandalism seriously. This may come as a surprise to some. It may be a particular shock to youth, who often think of vandalism as “small-time crime”. Some believe it is not easy to catch vandals. Others think that even if convicted, the punishment will not be severe. Both are incorrect.
Depending on the type of vandalism, a charged individual can face hefty penalties. Those convicted of vandalism often face large fees and fines. Some even face time in jail. In most cases, courts will order a convicted vandal to partake in reparations. In this case, it often entails the convicted person joining a road clean-up crew. They work to clean graffiti and other acts of vandalism throughout a given district.
Certain acts of vandalism get harsher treatment than others. For example, there are certain protected buildings like churches, federal property or schools. The law also protects certain groups from harassment based on protected status. If a vandal targets these buildings or groups, they can face misdemeanor or felony charges.
Even youth criminals face these punishments. In some cases, a court can also charge a delinquent’s parents. They may pay fines on behalf of their child if the child is younger than 18.
Vandalism is not the only crime typical of younger individuals. If you would like to read more about juvenile crime, follow the link here. If you have an interest in reading more about vandalism, you can do so. If you would like to look into other crimes, this is a good place to start.
