Graffiti & Juvenile Crimes

If your child has been accused of graffiti or any form of vandalism, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect their rights and future. A juvenile defense attorney can get involved early in the process and can work to help your son or daughter avoid a conviction and penalties or other consequences of a graffiti conviction by protecting his or her rights every step of the way. To learn more about how a lawyer can help you, feel free to contact the Martinez Law Firm toll-free at 800-724-1876.

Graffiti and Vandalism Charges

Under Texas Penal Code Section 28.08, graffiti is considered a misdemeanor or felony offense. Penalties are generally based upon the extent of damage to the property, ranging from 180 days in jail and fines of up to $2,000 to imprisonment in state prison and fines of up to $10,000. A parent of a juvenile offender convicted of graffiti may be held financially accountable for paying fines. A juvenile defendant may also face mandatory graffiti cleanup and other forms of community service.

In some situations, graffiti will be charged as a felony offense. This typically applies if the graffiti or vandalism is committed as a hate crime against a person or group of people due to their race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability. All other types of graffiti or minor vandalism, however, is most often charged as a misdemeanor juvenile crime for a minor. It may even be a crime for a minor to be in possession of aerosol paint or other materials that may be used to make graffiti, if the minor is on public property or on another's private property.