Chad Muska, a professional skateboarder, is accused of spray-painting his own name on the outside of the El Capitan Theatre and a Los Angeles, California coffee shop. He has been charged with vandalism and faces up to one year in jail, if convicted of the offense.
In Nevada, similar offenses would have been charged as Malicious Destruction to Private Property or Graffiti and punishments for these types of property offenses are extremely harsh. If the damage is less than $250.00, the offense is a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to six (6) months in jail. If the damage is between $250.00 and $5,000.00, the offense is a gross misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one (1) year in jail. If the damage is $5,000.00 or more, the offense is a felony and is punishable by up to four (4) years in prison.
In addition to potential jail time, Graffiti charges carry mandatory fines of up to $1,000.00, mandatory community service, and mandatory driver's license suspension. For first offenses, mandatory community service is 100 hours. For second and subsequent offenses, it is 200 hours. In addition, if the person is a juvenile, the Court must suspend the driver's license for between six (6) months and two (2) years.
If you or someone you know is charged with Graffiti, Vandalism or another Property or Juvenile Crime, it is important to contact a Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorney right away. The Las Vegas Criminal Defense Lawyer can assist you in analyzing the facts of your case, identifying applicable defenses and providing you with the most aggressive defense strategy possible to protect your legal rights.