For all of its scenic and historical landmarks, Nevada is a beautiful place to live or to visit. In an effort to preserve the iconic scenery of our state, Nevada has passed some of the most restrictive and severe vandalism laws in the United States. Offense that may be considered minor in other parts of the country can carry some serious penalties here.
Nevada now considers vandalism a Category-C felony offense for damages exceeding just $500. Previously, vandals weren’t charged with a felony unless the state could prove damages exceeding $5,000. This places vandalism alongside grand larceny, third-offense battery and domestic violence and stalking in terms of seriousness. Category-C felonies may involve one to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
What’s more, the state has gone as far as to advise citizens to call the emergency police line to report vandalism offenses.
Individuals charged with graffiti or vandalism are strongly advised to seek legal counsel right away so that they can explore their options for having the charges reduced. While in the past it may have been in your favor to just accept whatever punishment the courts handed down for such a petty offense, under the new law, it is crucial to work with a skilled attorney. In a state where these crimes include such disproportionately severe punishments, it is in your best interests to navigate the difficult path ahead as effectively as possible.