{"id":372335,"date":"2018-08-23T10:24:04","date_gmt":"2018-08-23T15:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-vandalism-and-defacement-laws0.html"},"modified":"2018-08-24T14:42:02","modified_gmt":"2018-08-24T19:42:02","slug":"district-of-columbia-vandalism-and-defacement-laws0","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-vandalism-and-defacement-laws0.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Vandalism and Defacement Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Vandalism and Defacement Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Lashing out against your ex by slashing their tires or breaking your enemy’s windows might seem like a viable way to deal with your anger issues. However, there are consequences for participating in acts of vandalism<\/a>. Even if you were treated poorly or unfairly, it won’t excuse you or prevent you from being punished for violating vandalism laws.<\/p>\r\n

In the District of Columbia, the official charge isn’t "vandalism" because that term isn’t used. Rather, if you damage, destroy, or deface someone’s property, you can be charged with "destruction or injury of property," a property crime<\/a>. Another vandalism-related offense that you can face in the District of Columbia is defacement<\/i> if you spoil the appearance of public or private property.<\/p>\r\n

A Synopsis of District of Columbia Vandalism and Defacement Laws<\/h2>\r\n

Part of your legal research should include a complete understanding of a statute. However, it’s a lengthy process and you might want to begin with a clear and concise explanation of what a statute says before reading it in its entirety. Get started with the chart below which provides a brief synopsis of vandalism and defacement laws in the District of Columbia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

District of Columbia Division IV. Title 22:<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Destruction of Property<\/b><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Malicious Burning\/Destruction or Injury of Property<\/b><\/i><\/p>\r\n

Maliciously injuring or breaking or destroying, or attempting to injure or break or destroy, (by fire or otherwise), another’s real estate or personal property valued at $1,000 or more can be punished by incarceration for up to 10 years, fines up to $5,000, or both.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Defacement Offenses<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Defacement of Public or Private Property<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

It’s unlawful to willfully take the following actions (on public or private property) without the property owner’s consent:<\/p>\r\n

Related Offenses<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n