Utah Teens Charged with Vandalism

0 Comments

This past week, eight teens from Brighton High School and Skyline High School were charged with fence vandalism in the Cottonwood Heights area. The police helped a Cottonwood Heights resident set up a surveillance camera after his vinyl fence was vandalized at least 14 times. Apparently, several of the alleged offenders were caught on video running into the fence repeatedly until they crashed through it, then ran laughing to a getaway car. According to police, the teens are being referred to juvenile court.

Photo: pb3131

The Utah Code, under the juvenile criminal mischief section, allows for a parent or legal guardian having legal custody of a minor to be liable for damages sustained to property not to exceed $2,000 when the minor intentionally damages, defaces, destroys, or takes the property of another. On the other hand, a parent or guardian is not liable if the parent or guardian made a reasonable effort to supervise and direct their minor child, or, in the event the parent or guardian knew in advance of the possible taking, injury, or destruction by their minor child, made a reasonable effort to restrain the child.

It will be up to law enforcement and the juvenile judicial court to determine whether or not the parents of the alleged vandals will be held liable for any damages to the fence. If you are the parent of a minor child tangled up in the juvenile court system, it is to your advantage to consult an attorney who can find out if you may be financially liable for your child’s actions. You and your child can benefit from the representation of a skilled Utah juvenile defense attorney.