The law on the crime of vandalism is found at California penal code section 594. There are several variations of PC 594 crimes that may be charged depending on the particular set of facts of the case.

 

For example, PC594(a)-M is charged where the amount of vandalism damage is less than four hundred dollars ($400), whereas PC594(b)(1)-F is charged where the amount of vandalism damage is more than four hundred dollars ($400). Different vandalism charges carry different punishments.

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The Law

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PC 594(a): Every person who maliciously defaces, damages, or destroys any real or personal property not his or her own...is guilty of vandalism (PC 594(a) Abbrev.).

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Note: When a person violates PC 594(a) with respect to real property, vehicles, signs, fixtures, furnishings, or property belonging to any public entity, it shall be a permissive inference that the person neither owned the property nor had the permission of the owner to deface, damage, or destroy the property (PC 594(a) Abbrev.).

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In order for the District Attorney to prove that the defendant committed vandalism under any PC 594 crime he or she must prove that the defendant maliciously (intentionally) destroyed or damaged the personal property of another person or government entity.

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Punishment

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Classification of Crime: Vandalism may be classified as a misdemeanor or as a felony. When the damage, defacement, or destruction is four hundred dollars ($400) or more, the vandalism is charged as a felony under PC 594(b)-F. When the damage is under four hundred dollars ($400), the charge is usually filed as a misdemeanor (PC 594(a)-M).

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Jail Sentence: PC 594(a) is classified as a misdemeanor. Punishment can include a jail sentence in the county jail up to one (1) year.

 

Note: PC 594(b)(1) may be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony. When PC 594(b)(1) is charged as a misdemeanor the defendant may face up to one (1) year in the county jail. When PC 594(b)(1) is charged as a felony the defendant may face up to three (3) years in county jail. Whether or not a misdemeanor or felony vandalism crime will be charged under PC 594(b)(1) depends largely on the defendant criminal history and the egregiousness of the crime.

 

Probation Sentence: Probation is a period of supervision where the defendant must comply with certain probation terms. Probation can include some jail time, but usually probation sentences that include jail time allow for the jail time to be served alternatively on house arrest (electronic monitoring) or work release.

 

All vandalism crimes are eligible for a probation sentence, but a probation sentence is not guaranteed in any vandalism case. Whether a probation sentence, with or without some work release sentence, is allowed in any case, depends largely on the facts of the case, the defendant's criminal history, and more.

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Other probation terms in PC 594 cases typically include the payment of fines, restraining orders, repayment of the damage for the vandalism, etc. Felony probation requires the defendant to check in with a probation officer, whereas misdemeanor probation (also known as court probation, summary probation, or informal probation) does not require the supervision of a probation officer.

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Penal Code 1170(h) Sentencing: Other common alternatives to jail include split sentences and suspended sentences. A split sentence is a jail sentence that may be served partially out of jail on work release or house arrest. A suspended sentence is a jail sentence that may never have to be served if the defendant does not violate a condition of his or her out of custody sentence (See PC 1170(h)).

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Note: Vandalism crimes are not considered serious or violent crimes under California law. Therefore, neither PC 594(a), nor PC 594(b)(1) is considered a strike offense under California's Three Strikes Sentencing Law. Also, if the defendant is sentenced to jail or prison for any vandalism charge, then he or she will be entitled to earn up to fifty percent (50%) credit off his or her sentence for good behavior while in custody. This "good conduct credit" applies to work release sentences in San Bernardino County.

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CIMT: PC 594 crimes are not considered crimes involving moral turpitude, or CIMT. A crime involving moral turpitude is any crime that involves dishonesty or fraud, or otherwise is considered to be morally wrongs. CIMT generally have greater negative collateral consequences for professional licensing, immigration, and military service. However, it is important to know that even though vandalism crimes are not considered crimes involving moral turpitude, negative collateral consequences can occur, especially for felony convictions of vandalism. For more information, see Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude.

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Property Repair in Graffiti Cases: Upon conviction of any person for acts of vandalism consisting of defacing property with graffiti or other inscribed materials, the court shall, when appropriate and feasible, in addition to any punishment imposed under subdivision (b), order the defendant to clean up, repair, or replace the damaged property himself or herself, or order the defendant, and his or her parents or guardians if the defendant is a minor, to keep the damaged property or another specified property in the community free of graffiti for up to one year (PC 594(B)(2)(c) Abbrev.).

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In addition to any possible jail commitment, if the defendant is found guilty of vandalism under PC 594(a) or PC 594(b)(1), he or she will be made to pay restitution, pay penalty fines, possibly lose his or her professional or occupational licensing, possibly lose his or her immigration status (for non-U.S. citizens), be subjected to civil lawsuits, lose his or her right to own or possess a firearm (for felony vandalism convictions), and more.

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Defenses

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Defenses to vandalism charges include: insufficient evidence to prove either the crime occurred or the value of the damaged or destroyed property, mistake of fact as to the ownership of the property destroyed, statute of limitations (time that the District Attorney must file the vandalism charges before the judge will dismiss the case for untimely filing), coerced confessions, intoxication, insanity, claim of right, consent to destroy, and more.

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Note: In some misdemeanor vandalism charges, it might be possible to settle the case through a civil compromise, whereby the defendant avoids criminal prosecution for agreeing to pay for the damage and with approval from the alleged victim. This should only be done through a criminal defense attorney to avoid further punishments, not the least of which is a witness intimidation charge.

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Quasi-Defense Option in PC 594 Cases: Some good options that a defendant might have, but which are not complete defense, include, a civil compromise in a misdemeanor vandalism case, judicial diversion in a misdemeanor vandalisms case, and a reclassification of the criminal offense from a felony to a misdemeanor (PC 17(b) Motion). For more information, see Civil Compromise, Judicial Diversion, & Wobbler Crimes.

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Post-Conviction Option for PC 594 Crimes: After a conviction for a Penal Code 594 crime, the defendant may have several post-conviction options, including appeal the vandalism conviction, withdraw a guilty plea, motion to set aside the conviction (expungement), motion to terminate or modify probation (PC 1203.4), and more.

 

If you or a loved one is charged with vandalism under PC 594(a), PC 594(b)(1), or other vandalism charge, contact our criminal defense attorneys today for a free consultation. Our criminal defense attorneys dedicate 100% of their practice to criminal defense and we have successfully handled many felony and misdemeanor vandalism charges in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, including Redlands, San Bernardino, Rialto, Victorville, Hesperia, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and Yucaipa. Call today!

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909-913-3138​

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