Los Angeles Criminal Lawyer Blog

According to L.A. Now, the Calabasas high school students arrested on charges of Los Angeles vandalism wrote racist graffiti on the school walls because they felt they had been "mistreated during the school year." The boys indicated that they were not targeting a specific ethnicity or religion - making it a potential hate crime - but rather the writings were aimed at individuals who had upset them throughout the year.

If you have been charged with either felony or misdemeanor vandalism, it is important to contact a Los Angeles vandalism defense attorney right away. Because several factors exist that can lead to penalty enhancements - such a whether conduct involves suspected gang members or could be considered a hate crime - it is important to get an attorney on your side immediately to start an investigation and begin preparing your defense.

Here, two teen boys were booked for felony vandalism and a third is expected to be arrested. Law enforcement has stated that they will seek criminal prosecution and reimbursement.

Continue reading "Teens Face Vandalism Charges In Calabasas High School Graffiti Case" »

KTLA reports that a Santa Clarita resident called the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department as the result of vandalism. The resident believes that he was the target of a hate crime - he stepped outside his home to find one of his cars engulfed in flames and another one vandalized. The car had all four tires slashed with a "religiously derogatory symbol" painted on the hood. No one has been arrested for this crime.

If you are under investigation or have been arrested for any California crime, contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer immediately to protect your rights and begin preparing your defense.

California vandalism is defined as the malicious act of damaging, destroying, or defacing real or personal property belonging to another person or institution and includes such acts as graffiti, inscription and cutting. It may also include destruction or damage to vehicles, signs, buildings, cemeteries or other personal or real property.

When vandalism strikes one's home or property - especially with aggravating circumstances such as gang related or a hate crime - emotions can run high with pressure to arrest someone quickly. In these circumstances, police can often make critical errors or arrests with flawed evidence.

Continue reading "Santa Clarita Vandalism Considered Possible Hate Crime" »