Graffiti is an eyesore and a crime. While you can be arrested for tagging someone else’s property, that property doesn’t always get cleaned up. In one of many efforts towards decreasing graffiti in the area, Indy is looking to pass its first graffiti ordinance.
The ordinance would require business owners to clean up graffiti on their property or face having to pay for the city to do it. Business owners are up in arms about the ordinance.
Indianapolis is getting a late start on such an ordinance when compared with other major cities in the country. Many major metro areas have such orders in place.
In addition to asking business owners to take a role in cleaning up the city, it seems law enforcement is cracking down a little harder on the taggers as well.
As this Courier Journal article details, the latest Most Wanted Poster from Central Indiana’s CrimeStoppers features a graffiti “artist”. Their name isn’t known, only the “tags” they have placed all over the area.
In most cases, if you are caught doing an act of graffiti in Indiana, it is considered an act of criminal mischief. Criminal mischief is defined as recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally damaging or defacing the property of another without their consent.
The charges faced for criminal mischief depends on the value of the damage.
For instance, if the damage caused by your graffiti is valued at less than $250, it is typically a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and fines. However, certain circumstances can boost a criminal mischief charge all the way up to a Class D Felony.
Property crimes like criminal mischief are often considered fairly minor. However, if you are facing jail time and hefty fines, as well as a permanent criminal record, the charges are anything but minor.
Whether you are facing criminal mischief charges related to graffiti or not, chances are that I can help. Contact me today to discuss your case and the specifics. I can give you some free legal advice and tell you how I may be able to help your case.