Vandalism Charge Nets Three Brothers
Vandalism Charge Nets Three Brothers
Initially, police questioned and ticketed one brother in April in connection with a misdemeanor graffiti incident at Magnolia Junior High School. At that time, police recorded the graffiti and sent it to the Chino Police Department Crime Analysis Unit. The department uses the Graffiti Tracker System, and discovered an additional 121 incidents of vandalism reported between November 2008 and April 2009 that matched the graffiti at the junior high school. Those incidents involved sidewalks, walls, fire hydrants and street signs in Chino and were estimated to have cost the city more than $5,000 to repair.
Using the information, officers were able to match two more monikers to the suspect's brothers, who were also arrested and charged with more than 145 individual acts of vandalism, estimated at $6,300.
If you've been arrested or ticketed for misdemeanor criminal offenses, you may be tempted to simply pay the fine and live with the misdemeanor conviction. This could be a mistake. Although misdemeanor crimes are considered "minor" they can result in jail terms of up to one year and fines of up to $2,000. You can also be ordered to pay restitution, put on probation, pay fines or complete community service sentences.
Misdemeanor charges can also be elevated to felony charges if the circumstances change, or new evidence is obtained before a trial. A history of misdemeanor offenses can also lead to an elevation of misdemeanor charges to felony status.
Further, misdemeanors can show up on background checks and may interfere with your ability to get a job, an apartment or just move on with your life. If you've been charged with a misdemeanor, consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney like Robert Michael Helfend. Mr. Helfend has 25 years' experience in criminal defense and will fight to protect your rights in court.
Don't confuse misdemeanor with minor because the effects of a misdemeanor conviction can be long-lasting and can impact your life down the road. Contact Robert Helfend today for a consultation on your misdemeanor charge.
Photo Credit: Daniel Lobo