08/12/2026
How Is Vandalism Charged?
Vandalism can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The crime you will be charged with depends on a number of factors, the most important of which is the extent of the damage you are accused of causing, often measured in dollars. Many states use a cutoff of $1,000$ in damages.
Other factors can include your alleged intent in causing the damage (intentional acts are always punished more severely than accidental vandalism). The target of your vandalism can also be relevant, as defacing public property like schools or police cars is more likely to result in severe penalties.
Learn more here: https://www.kardonlaw.com/vandalism-charges/