Vandalism Lawyers in Ohio

Aggressive Defense against Property Crime Charges

Vandalism is the intentional destruction of private or public property. This can range from throwing a rock through your neighbor’s window to spray painting graffiti all over a government building.

Whatever the case may be, if you have been charged with vandalism, you need to retain strong legal defense right away. Most vandalism charges are felonies and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

At Ingram, Cassese & Grimm, LLP, our Ohio vandalism lawyers have extensive experience with all types of vandalism charges and can help you with all your criminal defense needs.

What Are the Charges for Vandalism in Ohio?

Drug crimes are charged as either a felony or misdemeanor offense. Each drug crime carries its own potential penalties depending on a number of factors. The judge assigned to your case may consider the alleged offense, what type of illegal substance was involved, how much of the illegal substance was present, and if there were special circumstances. They will also take into account whether or not you have prior convictions.

The charges for vandalism in Ohio vary. According to Ohio Revised Code Title XXIX, general vandalism is a fifth-degree felony punishable by fines up to $2,500. However, if the property value exceeds $7,500 charges may increase to a third or fourth-degree felony. Charges differ for vehicular or railroad vandalism.

• Vehicular vandalism (2909.09) – The charges for this type of vandalism are typically a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and $1,000 in fines (charges may be elevated depending on the value of the property damaged and the harm to the property)
• Railroad vandalism (2909.10 and 2909.11) – This type of vandalism usually has the same types of charges as vehicular vandalism, with the exception of knowingly entering or staying on railroad company property, which is a fourth-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and up to $250 in fines

Understanding Your Vandalism Charges

There are many different types of vandalism, and the nature of the charges you face can directly affect the potential consequences you may deal with. Being arrested can be a very confusing time and it may be difficult to obtain information about your exact charges.

At our firm, our goal is to come in as early as possible, find out exactly what you are being charged with, and build a strong defense. Our defense strategy needs to be tailored to your specific situation and charges in order to be effective.

A few examples of common vandalism charges include vandalizing:

• Schools
• Vehicles
• Churches
• Mailboxes
• Cemeteries
• Railroads/trains
• Highway/freeway overpasses

There are many types of activities which can be perceived as vandalism, including breaking windows, slashing tires, etching onto glass or metal, drawing graffiti, or any other action that alters or destroys property.

Contact a Ohio Vandalism Lawyer Today

Law enforcement and state officials take vandalism very seriously, which means when vandals are prosecuted, the most serious penalties are often pursued. It is crucial that you seek aggressive representation for your case to give you the best chance of avoiding a conviction.

Regardless of the exact charges you face, one of our vandalism attorneys in Ohio is here to protect your rights. The sooner you hire an attorney, the better, as we may be able to reduce or dismiss the charges against you in the early stages.