In Mississippi, there are laws in place to prevent property damage due to vandalism. Unfortunately, vandalism is a crime that many youths often engage in. They are usually not aware of the fact that vandalism can be a misdemeanor or even felony.
First, you must know the definition of vandalism. Graffiti is the most common act of vandalism. But vandalism on a whole covers a wide array of potential property damage. Some examples include:
- Slashing tires
- Defacing park benches
- Breaking windows
- Keying cars
- Egging property
- Knocking down or altering street signs
Even kicking or hitting someone’s property without a weapon can be vandalism. A person can also face vandalism charges for possessing the means to do so. In other words, grievous damage does not actually need to occur.
Vandalism laws protect both public and private property. They are also put in place to prevent hate crimes or behavior that targets protected groups. Individuals convicted of vandalism may face time in jail and steep fines. They also often pay restitution in the form of helping to clean up the vandalism. The court also orders many people to take part in “cleaning projects” throughout their city. These projects often help pick up trash on the roadside or clean up graffiti. For youths, a parent may pay fines due to their child’s behavior.
If you would like to continue learning more about juvenile crimes, visit our web page. You can look at the youth court system, how it functions and what youth may be up against. You may also want to read more about vandalism crimes to understand specifics.
