Vandalism Laws by State (2026)
How each state charges vandalism (property damage) and the maximum penalties, from each state criminal code.
| State | Vandalism (property damage) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Alabama: intentionally damaging property with no right to do so. Damage not exceeding $500 is criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class B misdemeanor (not more than six months in jail and a fine of not more than $3,000). Damage exceeding $500 but not exceeding $2,500 is criminal mischief in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor, with mandatory minimum jail time for repeat convictions involving damage to a church or other religious building. Damage exceeding $2,500, or any damage by means of an explosion, is criminal mischief in the first degree, a Class C felony (not more than 10 years or less than one year and one day). Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-7-21, 13A-7-22, 13A-7-23, 13A-5-6, 13A-5-7, 13A-5-12 |
| Alaska | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Alaska and is graded by the amount of damage. Intentionally damaging another person's property worth less than $250 is criminal mischief in the fifth degree, a Class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days in jail, up to $2,000); damage of $250 to $749 is criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year, up to $25,000); and damage of $750 or more is criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class C felony (up to five years, up to $50,000). Third-degree criminal mischief also covers knowingly defacing, damaging or desecrating a cemetery, grave or memorial. The most serious degrees cover damage over $100,000 by widely dangerous means, and damaging an oil or gas pipeline or a utility or emergency service. AS 11.46.475, 11.46.482, 11.46.484, 11.46.486; AS 12.55.125, 12.55.135 |
| Arizona | Vandalism is called criminal damage in Arizona: recklessly defacing, damaging or tampering with another person's property, including graffiti (drawing or inscribing a message, slogan, sign or symbol on a building or surface without the owner's permission). It is graded by the amount of damage: more than $250 but less than $1,000 is a class 1 misdemeanor; $1,000 or more but less than $2,000 is a class 6 felony; $2,000 or more but less than $10,000 is a class 5 felony; $10,000 or more is a class 4 felony; and all other criminal damage is a class 2 misdemeanor. Damage done to help a criminal street gang is a class 5 felony. Damaging a place of worship, a school, or a cemetery is aggravated criminal damage, a felony at any amount (class 6, rising to class 5 at $1,500 and class 4 at $10,000). A.R.S. §§ 13-1602(A), (B); 13-1604 |
| Arkansas | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Arkansas. Criminal mischief in the first degree (purposely damaging another's property) is graded by actual damage: $1,000 or less is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year); more than $1,000 but $5,000 or less a Class D felony (up to 6 years); more than $5,000 but less than $25,000 a Class C felony (3 to 10 years); and $25,000 or more, or damage to critical infrastructure, a Class B felony (5 to 20 years). Criminal mischief in the second degree (reckless damage) is a Class B misdemeanor for smaller amounts, a Class A misdemeanor for $1,000 or more but less than $5,000, and a Class D felony for $5,000 or more. Defacing or damaging a public building or object of public respect, such as a cemetery or monument, is a separate offense that is a felony at higher damage amounts. Ark. Code §§ 5-38-203(b), 5-38-204(b), 5-71-215; 5-4-401; 5-4-201 |
| California | Vandalism is maliciously defacing with graffiti or other inscribed material, damaging, or destroying someone else's real or personal property. If the damage is less than $400, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 (up to $5,000 with a prior vandalism or graffiti conviction). If the damage is $400 or more, it can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony: up to 1 year in county jail or 16 months, 2 or 3 years under Penal Code § 1170(h), and/or a fine of up to $10,000 (up to $50,000 if the damage is $10,000 or more). Cal. Penal Code § 594(a), (b)(1), (b)(2); CALCRIM No. 2900 |
| Colorado | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Colorado: knowingly damaging the real or personal property of another person. It is graded by the total damage in a single criminal episode: less than $300 is a petty offense; $300 or more but less than $1,000 is a class 2 misdemeanor; $1,000 or more but less than $2,000 is a class 1 misdemeanor; $2,000 or more but less than $5,000 is a class 6 felony; $5,000 or more but less than $20,000 is a class 5 felony; $20,000 or more but less than $100,000 is a class 4 felony; $100,000 or more but less than one million dollars is a class 3 felony; and one million dollars or more is a class 2 felony. C.R.S. § 18-4-501(1), (4) |
| Connecticut | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Connecticut. Intentionally or recklessly damaging another person's property is criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class B misdemeanor (up to six months and $1,000). Intentionally damaging property in an amount exceeding two hundred fifty dollars is second degree, a Class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000), and damage exceeding one thousand five hundred dollars is first degree, a Class D felony (up to five years and $5,000). Intentionally interrupting public utility, transportation, communication or emergency services, or damaging court-ordered electronic monitoring equipment, is also first degree. Tampering with fire hydrants or fire or police alarms is fourth degree, a Class C misdemeanor. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-115, 53a-116, 53a-117, 53a-117a, 53a-35a, 53a-36 |
| Delaware | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Delaware: intentionally or recklessly damaging or tampering with another person's property. It is an unclassified misdemeanor for smaller losses, a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year) when the loss is over $1,000, and a Class G felony (up to 2 years) when the person intentionally causes a loss of $5,000 or more or substantially interrupts a public service; intentionally damaging an emergency vehicle causing a $5,000 loss that takes it out of service is a Class F felony. Graffiti is a separate crime: a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class G felony if damage exceeds $1500, with a minimum fine of $1000 that cannot be suspended, restitution and 250 hours of community service. 11 Del. C. §§ 811, 812, 4205(b), 4206 |
| District of Columbia | Vandalism is called malicious destruction of property in D.C.: maliciously injuring, breaking or destroying (or attempting to) any public or private property that is not one's own. If the property is worth $1,000 or more, the penalty is up to 10 years; if it has some value, up to 180 days. Graffiti is the separate offense of defacing public or private property (writing, marking, drawing or painting on property without the owner's consent), punishable by a fine of not less than $250, up to 180 days in jail, or both, plus mandatory restitution and possible community service. Possessing graffiti material with intent to put graffiti on property without consent is punishable by a fine of $100 to $1,000. D.C. Code §§ 22-303, 22-3312.01, 22-3312.04 |
| Florida | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Florida: willfully and maliciously damaging another person's property, including by graffiti. Damage of $200 or less is a second-degree misdemeanor (up to 60 days); more than $200 but less than $1,000 is a first-degree misdemeanor (up to 1 year); and damage of $1,000 or more, or interrupting a business or public utility or service at a restoration cost of $1,000 or more, is a third-degree felony (up to 5 years). A misdemeanor criminal mischief by someone with a prior criminal mischief conviction becomes a third-degree felony. Graffiti-related convictions carry an added mandatory fine of at least $250 for a first conviction, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third or later, plus at least 40 hours of community service. Fla. Stat. § 806.13(1), (9) |
| Georgia | Vandalism is called criminal damage to property (or criminal trespass for small amounts) in Georgia. Intentionally damaging another's property when the damage is $500.00 or less is criminal trespass, a misdemeanor (up to $1,000.00 and 12 months under § 17-10-3). Damage exceeding $500.00 is criminal damage to property in the second degree, punished by 'imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years.' Criminal damage in the first degree (interfering with property so as to endanger human life, or with critical infrastructure or a vital public service) carries one to ten years, or two to 20 years for the infrastructure version. O.C.G.A. §§ 16-7-21(a), (d); 16-7-22; 16-7-23; 17-10-3 |
| Hawaii | Vandalism is called criminal property damage in Hawaii. Intentionally or knowingly damaging another person's property without consent is fourth degree, a petty misdemeanor (up to 30 days). Damage over $500 is third degree, a misdemeanor (up to one year); damage over $1,500 is second degree, a class C felony (five years); and damage over $20,000, damage that recklessly endangers someone's life or safety, or damage during a declared emergency is first degree, a class B felony (ten years). Higher grades with mandatory jail apply to damage to agricultural or aquacultural property. Graffiti is charged as criminal property damage, and the person must also remove the graffiti and, for up to two years, remove other graffiti within 250 yards of the site (or perform 100 hours of community service). Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 708-820, 708-821, 708-822, 708-823, 708-823.6 |
| Idaho | Vandalism is called malicious injury to property in Idaho: intentionally damaging or destroying property that is not one's own. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. It becomes a felony when the damage from one violation, or from a series of violations in a common scheme charged as one count, exceeds $1,000; the felony is punishable by one (1) to five (5) years in state prison, a fine up to $1,000, or both. Graffiti (painting, writing, drawing or inscribing on another's property without consent) is a separate offense, injury by graffiti, which is a misdemeanor. Idaho Code §§ 18-7001, 18-7036 |
| Illinois | Vandalism is called criminal damage to property in Illinois. Knowingly damaging someone else's property is a Class A misdemeanor (less than one year in jail, fine up to $2,500) when the damage is $500 or less, a Class 4 felony when it exceeds $500 but not $10,000, a Class 3 felony when it exceeds $10,000 but not $100,000, and a Class 2 felony when it exceeds $100,000. When the property belongs to a school or place of worship, is farm equipment or agricultural property, or memorializes police, firefighters, armed forces members or veterans, these become a Class 4 felony ($500 or less), Class 3 felony (over $500 to $10,000), Class 2 felony (over $10,000 to $100,000) and Class 1 felony (over $100,000). When damage exceeds $10,000, the court must impose a fine equal to the value of the damage, and every conviction carries 30 to 120 hours of community service where available. 720 ILCS 5/21-1(a), (d)(1)-(3); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-55, -45, -40, -35 |
| Indiana | Vandalism is called criminal vandalism in Indiana (formerly criminal mischief): recklessly, knowingly or intentionally damaging or defacing another person's property without consent. It is a Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days and a $1,000 fine). It is a Class A misdemeanor (up to one year and a $5,000 fine) if the loss is at least $750 but less than $50,000, or if the damage is to a place of worship, a school or community center, a cemetery or certain other listed property. It is a Level 6 felony (6 months to 2.5 years) if the loss is $50,000 or more, the damage substantially interrupts utility service to the public, the damage is to a public record, or in certain other listed cases. Ind. Code § 35-43-1-2(b)-(d) |
| Iowa | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Iowa: intentionally damaging, defacing, altering or destroying property without the right to do so (which covers graffiti). It is graded by the cost to repair or replace: $300 or less is fifth degree, a simple misdemeanor; more than $300 up to $750 is fourth degree, a serious misdemeanor; more than $750 up to $1,500 is third degree, an aggravated misdemeanor; more than $1,500 up to $10,000 is second degree, a class "D" felony; and more than $10,000 is first degree, a class "C" felony. Damaging any publicly owned property, including a monument or statue, is second degree regardless of amount, and acts that substantially interrupt utility or common-carrier service are first degree. Iowa Code §§ 716.1, 716.3, 716.4, 716.5, 716.6 (Iowa Code 2026) |
| Kansas | Vandalism is called criminal damage to property in Kansas: knowingly damaging, destroying, defacing or substantially impairing the use of property someone else has an interest in, without consent (by means other than fire or explosives). Damage under $1,000 is a class B nonperson misdemeanor (up to six months and a fine up to $1,000); damage of at least $1,000 but less than $25,000 is a severity level 9 nonperson felony; and damage of $25,000 or more is a severity level 7 nonperson felony. Aggravated criminal damage to property, a severity level 6 nonperson felony, applies when damage over $5,000 is done to get at an ATM's cash or to take regulated scrap metal from listed places such as churches, schools, cemeteries, utilities and homes. K.S.A. 21-5813(a)-(d) |
| Kentucky | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Kentucky: intentionally or wantonly defacing, destroying or damaging property without a right to do so (which covers graffiti). Damage causing a loss of less than $500 is second-degree criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor (up to 12 months and a $500 fine). Damage of $500 or more, or damaging or tampering with key infrastructure so it is inoperable or dangerous, is first-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony (1 to 5 years). If the defendant repairs or replaces the property, pays full restitution or performs court-ordered community service before trial, the charge drops to a Class B misdemeanor (for a first offense in the first degree, or for second-degree mischief) or a Class A misdemeanor (for a repeat first-degree offense). Both degrees are graded one step higher during a declared emergency in the disaster area. KRS 512.020 (eff. July 15, 2026), 512.030; 532.060; 532.090 |
| Louisiana | Vandalism is called simple criminal damage to property in Louisiana (intentionally damaging someone else's property, other than by fire or explosion). Damage under $1,000: a fine of not more than $1,000, up to six months, or both. $1,000 to under $50,000: a fine of not more than $1,000, up to two years with or without hard labor, or both. $50,000 or more: a fine of not more than $10,000, one to 10 years with or without hard labor, or both; the court may also order full restitution. Graffiti is a separate crime with its own damage tiers (under $500: up to $500 and six months), plus cleanup or community service. La. R.S. 14:56(A), (B), (C); R.S. 14:56.4 |
| Maine | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Maine: intentionally, knowingly or recklessly damaging, destroying or tampering with another person's property without reasonable grounds to believe one has the right to do so. Criminal mischief is a Class D crime (less than one year in jail, fine up to $2,000). It becomes aggravated criminal mischief, a Class C crime (up to 5 years and $5,000), when the damage exceeds $2,000 in value, it substantially interrupts a public utility or police/fire service, it recklessly endangers human life, or the damage is caused by fire to property that is not a dwelling. No separate graffiti crime was identified in these sections. 17-A M.R.S. §§ 805, 806, 1604(1) |
| Maryland | Vandalism is called malicious destruction of property: willfully and maliciously destroying, injuring or defacing someone else's property. If the damage is under $1,000 it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days, a fine up to $500, or both; damage of $1,000 or more is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 years, a fine up to $2,500, or both. Graffiti is covered by the same law, and the court must also order restitution, community service, or both. Damage from one scheme or continuing course of conduct may be added together. Md. Code, Crim. Law § 6-301 |
| Massachusetts | Vandalism is called malicious destruction of property. Willfully and maliciously destroying or injuring another's property is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison or up to 2 1/2 years in jail, with a fine of $3,000 or 3 times the value of the damage, whichever is greater. If the damage is not alleged to exceed $1,200, the punishment is a fine of three times the damage or up to 2 1/2 years. Wanton (reckless) destruction is punishable by a fine of $1,000 or 3 times the damage, whichever is greater, or up to 2 1/2 years. Graffiti or tagging is a separate felony punishable by up to three years in state prison or a fine up to $1,500, plus the cost of removal; fines double for war or veterans' memorials. G.L. c. 266, §§ 126A, 127 |
| Michigan | Vandalism is called malicious destruction of property. Damage under $200 is a misdemeanor with up to 93 days and a fine up to $500 or 3 times the damage; $200 to under $1,000 is a misdemeanor with up to 1 year and a fine up to $2,000 or 3 times the damage. Damage of $1,000 to under $20,000 (or a smaller amount with a prior conviction) is a felony with up to 5 years and a fine up to $10,000 or 3 times the damage; $20,000 or more (or with 2 or more priors) is a felony up to 10 years and a fine up to $15,000 or 3 times the damage. No separate graffiti statute was reviewed. MCL 750.377a(1) |
| Minnesota | Vandalism is called criminal damage to property. Damage of $500 or less is fourth degree, a misdemeanor (up to 90 days and/or $1,000). More than $500 but not more than $1,000, or damage to a known public safety vehicle, is third degree, punishable by up to 364 days and/or $3,000. Damage over $1,000 (or $500 or more with a conviction in the preceding three years, or damage creating certain safety risks) is first degree, a felony up to five years and/or $10,000. Bias-motivated damage is raised a level (second degree, a felony up to one year and a day and/or $3,000). No separate graffiti statute was reviewed. Minn. Stat. § 609.595, subds. 1, 1a, 2, 3 |
| Mississippi | Vandalism is called malicious mischief in Mississippi: maliciously or mischievously destroying, disfiguring or injuring another's property (§ 97-17-67(1)). Damage of $1,000 or less is a misdemeanor, up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to twelve months in county jail (jail only if the court finds compelling reasons; otherwise probation), and a third or later offense with damage of at least $500 carries up to three years. Damage over $1,000 but under $5,000 is a felony, up to $10,000 and/or five years; $5,000 to under $25,000, up to ten years; $25,000 or more, up to twenty years (§ 97-17-67(2)-(5)). Restitution to the victim is required. Miss. Code Ann. § 97-17-67 |
| Missouri | Vandalism is called property damage in Missouri. Knowingly damaging another person's property is property damage in the second degree, a class B misdemeanor (up to six months and $1,000), or a class A misdemeanor if the victim was targeted as a law enforcement officer or an officer's close relative. It becomes property damage in the first degree, a class E felony (up to four years), when the damage exceeds seven hundred fifty dollars (or is done to defraud an insurer); it is a class D felony if a law enforcement officer was targeted. Damaging a vehicle while breaking in to steal is a class D felony (class B for a repeat), and damaging a teller machine is a class D felony or higher. RSMo §§ 569.100 (effective 8/28/2023), 569.120 (effective 8/28/2017); §§ 558.002, 558.011 |
| Montana | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Montana: knowingly or purposely damaging, destroying or tampering with another's property or public property without consent, damaging property to defraud an insurer, or leaving open a gate the person opened. It is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,500, up to 6 months in county jail, or both, and restitution is mandatory. It becomes a felony, with a fine up to $50,000, up to 10 years in state prison, or both, when the loss exceeds $1,500 (amounts from one scheme can be added together), when a commonly domesticated hoofed animal is injured or killed, or when public services are substantially interrupted. MCA § 45-6-101 (amended 2025) |
| Nebraska | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Nebraska, and its grade depends on the dollar loss. Loss under five hundred dollars (or no loss) is a Class III misdemeanor (up to three months, $500, or both); $500 to under $1,500 is a Class II misdemeanor; $1,500 to under $5,000 is a Class I misdemeanor; and a loss of five thousand dollars or more is a Class IV felony. Damage done to cause a substantial interruption of rail, telecommunication or broadband service, or water, gas or power supply, is a Class III felony regardless of amount. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-519 (amended 2025), §§ 28-105, 28-106 |
| Nevada | Damaging another's property (called injury to property) is graded by the value of the loss under NRS 193.155: less than $25 is punishable by a fine of not more than $500; $25 to under $250 is a misdemeanor; $250 to under $5,000 is a gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days); and $5,000 or more, or damage that impairs public communication, transportation or police and fire protection, is a category C felony (1 to 5 years). Graffiti or defacing property without permission is a separate crime: a misdemeanor if the loss is under $250, a gross misdemeanor from $250 to under $5,000, a category E felony at $5,000 or more (with at least 10 days in jail if probation is granted), and a category D felony on a protected historic or cultural site. Graffiti offenders also pay an extra $400 to $1,000 fine and do 100 hours of community service on a first offense, rising on repeat offenses. NRS 206.310, 193.155, 206.330(1), (3)-(4) |
| New Hampshire | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in New Hampshire: purposely or recklessly damaging another's property without a right to do so, or damaging, defacing or tampering with public property. It is a class B felony (up to seven years) when the person purposely causes or tries to cause a loss over $1,500, a substantial interruption of public utilities or services, damage by firing a gun at an occupied structure, or damage to property with irreplaceable historical, cultural or sentimental value. Purposely causing a loss over $100 and up to $1,500 is a class A misdemeanor (up to one year and $2,000), and all other criminal mischief is a misdemeanor. Losses from one scheme can be added together to reach the felony amount. RSA 634:2, I, II, II-a, III, V |
| New Jersey | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in New Jersey: purposely or knowingly damaging another person's tangible property, damaging it recklessly or negligently with fire, explosives or other dangerous means, or tampering with property so as to endanger a person or property (§ 2C:17-3(a)). The grade depends on the loss: $2,000 or more is a crime of the third degree; more than $500 but less than $2,000 is a crime of the fourth degree; $500 or less is a disorderly persons offense (§ 2C:17-3(b)). Graffiti — drawing, painting or making a mark or inscription on property without the owner's permission — is criminal mischief, and the court may also order restitution and community service (which may include removing the graffiti) of at least 20 days or the number of days needed to remove it (§ 2C:17-3(c), (d)). N.J.S. 2C:17-3 |
| New Mexico | Vandalism is called criminal damage to property in New Mexico: intentionally damaging another person's real or personal property without the owner's consent. It is a petty misdemeanor (up to six months in the county jail, a fine of up to $500, or both, § 31-19-1(B)), except that when the damage amounts to more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) it is a fourth degree felony (basic sentence eighteen months, fine up to $5,000, § 31-18-15) (§ 30-15-1). Graffiti is a separate offense: damage of $1,000 or less is a petty misdemeanor with a mandatory one hundred hours of community service and restitution; damage greater than $1,000 is a fourth degree felony with a mandatory one hundred sixty hours of community service and restitution (§ 30-15-1.1). NMSA 1978, §§ 30-15-1, 30-15-1.1; §§ 31-18-15, 31-19-1 |
| New York | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in New York. Intentionally damaging someone else's property (or recklessly damaging it by more than $250) is criminal mischief in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days and $1,000). Intentionally damaging property by more than $250 is criminal mischief in the third degree, a class E felony (up to 4 years); more than $1,500 is criminal mischief in the second degree, a class D felony (up to 7 years); damaging property by means of an explosive is criminal mischief in the first degree, a class B felony. Graffiti (etching, painting, covering or drawing on property with intent to damage it, without the owner's permission) is a separate crime, making graffiti, a class A misdemeanor. N.Y. Penal Law §§ 145.00, 145.05, 145.10, 145.12, 145.60 |
| North Carolina | Vandalism is called willful and wanton injury to property in North Carolina. Damaging someone else's personal property is a Class 2 misdemeanor, or a Class 1 misdemeanor if the damage is more than $200. Damaging real property is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and becomes a Class I felony when residential real property of another is damaged by $1,000 or more. Graffiti vandalism (writing, marking, painting or defacing property, including tombstones and public monuments) is a Class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum $500 fine, and becomes a Class H felony on a third conviction after two prior graffiti convictions. N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-160(a)-(b), 14-127, 14-127.1 |
| North Dakota | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in North Dakota: willfully damaging, or tampering with, someone else's property. It is a class B misdemeanor when the loss is under $100; a class A misdemeanor when the person intentionally causes a loss of $100 through $2,000 (or recklessly causes a loss over $2,000); a class C felony when the person intentionally causes a loss over $2,000 up to $10,000, uses an explosive or destructive device, or acts during a riot; and a class B felony when the intentional loss exceeds $10,000. Chapter 12.1-21 (arson and criminal mischief) contains no separate graffiti offense. N.D.C.C. § 12.1-21-05 |
| Ohio | Ohio grades property damage under several offenses. Knowingly causing physical harm to someone else's property without consent is criminal damaging or endangering, a misdemeanor of the second degree (up to 90 days), or a first-degree misdemeanor if it creates a risk of physical harm to a person. Defacing or damaging another's property to lower its value or enjoyment is criminal mischief, generally a misdemeanor of the third degree. Vandalism, a felony, covers knowingly causing serious physical harm to an occupied structure, government property or cemetery property, or damaging business property worth $1,000 or more: it is a fifth-degree felony (fine up to $2,500), a fourth-degree felony if the value or harm is $7,500 or more but less than $150,000, and a third-degree felony at $150,000 or more. Ohio's criminal mischief statute has no separate graffiti offense. R.C. 2909.05, 2909.06, 2909.07 |
| Oklahoma | Vandalism is called malicious injury or destruction of property in Oklahoma. Damaging, defacing or destroying someone else's property is a misdemeanor if the loss is less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), and a Class D3 felony if the loss is $1,000.00 or more or if the person has two or more prior convictions under this section. The offender is also liable for treble (triple) damages in a civil lawsuit. 21 O.S. § 1760 |
| Oregon | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Oregon. Tampering or interfering with another's property intending to cause substantial inconvenience is criminal mischief in the third degree, a Class C misdemeanor (up to 30 days). Intentionally damaging another's property, or causing damage over $500, is criminal mischief in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days, $6,250). Intentionally damaging property in an amount exceeding $1,000, by explosive, or property of a public utility, railroad, public transportation facility or medical facility used in direct service to the public, among other forms, is criminal mischief in the first degree, a Class C felony (up to 5 years). Graffiti is a separate offense: unlawfully applying graffiti is a Class A violation (a fine of up to $2,000, no jail), and possessing a graffiti implement with intent to use it that way is a Class C violation. ORS 164.345, 164.354, 164.365, 164.383, 164.386; 153.018(2); 161.605, 161.615 |
| Pennsylvania | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Pennsylvania. It covers intentionally damaging another person's property, damaging property by fire, explosives or other dangerous means, tampering that endangers people or property, defacing property with graffiti using spray paint or broad-tipped markers, and shooting paintballs at property. It is a felony of the third degree (up to seven years) when the person intentionally causes a loss over $5,000 or substantially interrupts a public service such as transportation, water, gas or power; a misdemeanor of the second degree for an intentional loss over $1,000; a misdemeanor of the third degree for a loss over $500 (or over $150 for graffiti); and otherwise a summary offense. 18 Pa.C.S. § 3304(a)-(b); 1101, 1103-1105 |
| Rhode Island | Vandalism is willfully and maliciously or mischievously injuring, destroying, writing on, painting or otherwise defacing someone else's property, or obstructing its use. It is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in prison, plus restitution and up to 100 hours of community restitution work (up to 200 hours for a second or later conviction); the statute sets no dollar tiers. Graffiti on residences, offices or businesses has its own statute: a first or second offense carries a fine not exceeding $1,000 and up to 200 hours of community service, and a third or later offense is a felony punishable by up to two (2) years in prison, a fine up to $2,000, and up to 300 hours of community service. For minors, the family court may suspend a driver's license or learner's permit for one year. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-44-1, 11-44-21.1 |
| South Carolina | Vandalism is called malicious injury to property in South Carolina (personal property under § 16-11-510; real property, such as defacing a house, fence or tree, under § 16-11-520). Damage worth $2,000 or less is a misdemeanor triable in magistrates or municipal court, punishable by a fine up to $1,000, up to thirty days, or both. Damage worth more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 is a felony punishable by a fine in the court's discretion and/or up to five years, and $10,000 or more is a felony punishable by up to ten years. Graffiti is a separate misdemeanor: a first offense carries a fine up to $1,000 or up to thirty days; a second offense within ten years, up to $2,500 or one year; a third or later offense, up to $3,000 or three years; the court may also order removal or restitution. S.C. Code §§ 16-11-510(B), 16-11-520(B), 16-11-770 |
| South Dakota | Vandalism is called intentional damage to property in South Dakota: intentionally injuring, damaging or destroying public property without consent, or private property in which another person has an interest without that person's consent. Damage of $400 or less is a Class 2 misdemeanor (up to thirty days); more than $400 up to $1,000 is a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to one year); more than $1,000 up to $2,500 is a Class 6 felony (up to two years); more than $2,500 up to $5,000 is a Class 5 felony; more than $5,000 up to $100,000 is a Class 4 felony; more than $100,000 up to $500,000 is a Class 3 felony; and more than $500,000 is aggravated intentional damage to property, a Class 2 felony. SDCL 22-34-1; 22-6-1, 22-6-2 |
| Tennessee | Vandalism is knowingly damaging or destroying real or personal property of another, or of the state, without the owner's effective consent (it also covers damaging merchandise offered for retail sale). It is punished as theft, graded by the value of the damage: $1,000 or less is a Class A misdemeanor, more than $1,000 but less than $2,500 a Class E felony, and higher amounts climb through Class D, C, B and A felonies on the same value tiers as theft. The court must order restitution for the damage plus cleaning and restoration costs. Vandalism of state or local government property valued under $2,500 is a Class A misdemeanor (unless the property is a designated historic landmark or on the National Register of Historic Places), and a second or later offense involving government property carries a mandatory $5,000 fine. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-14-408(b), (c); 39-14-105(a) |
| Texas | Vandalism is called criminal mischief in Texas: damaging, destroying or tampering with someone else's property, or marking it, without consent. It is graded by the amount of loss: less than $100 is a Class C misdemeanor; $100 to less than $750 a Class B misdemeanor; $750 to less than $2,500 a Class A misdemeanor; $2,500 to less than $30,000 a state jail felony; $30,000 to less than $150,000 a third-degree felony; $150,000 to less than $300,000 a second-degree felony; and $300,000 or more a first-degree felony. Graffiti is a separate offense graded on the same dollar tiers. Tex. Penal Code §§ 28.03(a), (b); 28.08(b) |
| Utah | Vandalism is called property damage or destruction in Utah: intentionally damaging, defacing or destroying another's property. It is graded by loss: less than $500 is a class B misdemeanor; $500 to less than $1,500 a class A misdemeanor; $1,500 to less than $5,000 a third degree felony; and $5,000 or more a second degree felony. Graffiti is a separate offense: less than $300 is a class B misdemeanor, $300 to less than $1,000 a class A misdemeanor, $1,000 to $5,000 a third degree felony, and over $5,000 a second degree felony, with mandatory restitution of removal costs. Tampering with property in a way that endangers human life (criminal mischief) is a class A misdemeanor. Utah Code §§ 76-6-106.1, 76-6-107, 76-6-106(3)(a) |
| Vermont | Vandalism is called unlawful mischief in Vermont: intentionally damaging property without a right to do so. Damage of $250 or less is punishable by up to six months and $500; over $250, up to one year and $1,000; over $1,000, or any damage by explosive, up to five years and $5,000 (a felony). A victim may also sue for damages and reasonable attorney's fees. 13 V.S.A. § 3701 |
| Virginia | Vandalism is called destruction of property in Virginia. Intentionally destroying, defacing or damaging someone else's property is a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500) if the damage is less than $1,000, and a Class 6 felony (1 to 5 years, or up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine) if it is $1,000 or more; the amount can be proved by the fair market cost of repair or replacement value. Unlawful damage done without that intent is a Class 3 misdemeanor (fine up to $500). The court may order restitution. Va. Code §§ 18.2-137(A)-(B), 18.2-10, 18.2-11 |
| Washington | Vandalism is called malicious mischief in Washington: knowingly and maliciously damaging someone else's property. Damage over $5,000 is first-degree malicious mischief, a class B felony (up to 10 years and $20,000); damage over $750 is second-degree, a class C felony (up to 5 years and $10,000); other damage is third-degree, a gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days and $5,000). Graffiti (writing, painting or drawing any mark on another's building, structure or property without the owner's express permission) is included in third-degree malicious mischief, a gross misdemeanor, unless the damage reaches the higher degrees. RCW 9A.48.070, 9A.48.080, 9A.48.090, 9A.20.021 |
| West Virginia | Vandalism is called destruction of property in West Virginia. Unlawfully but not feloniously damaging someone else's property is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to 1 year in jail, or both. Intentionally destroying, injuring or defacing property causing a loss in value of $2,500 or more is felony destruction of property, punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and 1 to 10 years in prison (or, at the court's discretion, up to 1 year in jail), or both. Damaging boundary markers or no-trespassing signs is a separate misdemeanor (fine of $20 to $200 and 1 to 6 months in jail). W. Va. Code § 61-3-30(a)-(c) |
| Wisconsin | Vandalism is called criminal damage to property in Wisconsin: intentionally damaging another's physical property without consent. It is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 9 months and/or $10,000). It becomes a Class I felony (up to 3 years 6 months and/or $10,000) if the property is reduced in value by more than $2,500 (measured by the lesser of repair or replacement cost), or in other listed cases such as damage to a vehicle or highway likely to cause injury, damage to public utility property, or retaliation against a juror. Graffiti (marking, drawing, writing or etching on another's property without consent) is a separate offense with the same grades: a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class I felony over $2,500 or in the same listed circumstances. Wis. Stat. §§ 943.01(1)-(2), 943.017(1)-(2), 939.50(3), 939.51(3) |
| Wyoming | Vandalism is called property destruction and defacement in Wyoming: knowingly defacing, injuring or destroying someone else's property without consent. If the cost of repair (or value of destroyed property) is less than $1,000, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six (6) months in jail, a fine of not more than $750, or both. If it is $1,000 or more, it is a felony punishable by up to ten (10) years in prison, a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. Damaging property while unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling is a felony regardless of the amount. A series of damage from one continuing course of conduct may be charged as one offense using the total. Graffiti is covered by this same statute (defacing property); there is no separate graffiti offense in Title 6. W.S. 6-3-201(a)-(c) |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.