{"id":375076,"date":"2018-02-26T17:55:15","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T22:55:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-vandalism-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-02-26T17:57:51","modified_gmt":"2018-02-26T22:57:51","slug":"new-jersey-vandalism-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-vandalism-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Vandalism Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Jersey Vandalism 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

The vast majority of crimes committed in the U.S. are not violent crimes; rather, most of the crimes committed in the country are property crimes<\/a> such as vandalism. Individuals who violate state vandalism laws by intentionally damaging or destroying property can be charged under vandalism<\/a> itself if the state actually uses the term. But if you’re prosecuted for committing vandalism in New Jersey, you will be charged under the offense of criminal mischief<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Graffiti Charges<\/h2>\n

There are many different forms of criminal mischief or vandalism. Graffiti is a familiar example. In New Jersey the actual charges for graffiti fall within the criminal mischief statute because the state doesn’t have a separate statute. However, New Jersey does impose enhanced penalties when someone is convicted of a graffiti offense: the perpetrator is required to pay restitution to the owner of the damaged property and must perform community service which includes removing the graffiti from the property, if appropriate.<\/p>\n

New Jersey Vandalism Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\n

The chart below provides a summary of statutes related to New Jersey’s vandalism laws, including links to important code sections.<\/p>\n\n

Statute and Elements of the Crime<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Penalties<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

The penalties will depend on factors including the monetary amount of damage and the specific details of the case.<\/p>\n

Fourth degree crime:<\/b><\/p>\n

Possible Defenses<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Lack of intent<\/li>\n
  • Mistaken identity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Related Offense<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n