Posts Tagged ‘vandalism’

Parental Responsibility for Juvenile Property Damage

Nov
01
Simms, on the topic of  Juvenile Defense Misc
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In Utah, there are circumstances in which a parent or legal guardian may be held financially responsible for juvenile property damage.

Photo: 401(K) 2012

Get Out Your Wallet

A parent or legal guardian can be liable for juvenile property damage up to $2000 when:

• The juvenile intentionally damages, defaces, destroys or steals someone’s property
• The juvenile recklessly or willfully shoots or propels some type of missile or other object at or against a motor vehicle, bus, airplane, boat, train/train car—whether the vehicle is moving or stationary
• The juvenile purposefully tampers with someone else’s property, recklessly endangering someone’s life or threatening a public utility service

The cost to a guardian of juvenile property damage goes up to $5000 when:

• One of the above-mentioned offenses occurs due to a juvenile’s association with any criminal street gang

Graffiti Counts as Property Damage

Defacing or tampering with a person’s property includes the application of graffiti.

Encourage Good Behavior

If you’re the type of parent who, with reasonable effort, tried to dissuade your child from causing property damage and you reported any knowledge of the damage to the property owner or police, you might not be held financially responsible after all. That does, however, depend upon the judgment of a juvenile court judge.

Talk to a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney

We know that lots of good kids make mistakes, which is why it’s important to contact a Utah juvenile defense attorney if your child has any run-ins with the law. Even kids deserve to be treated with respect and have access to the advice of legal counsel, regardless of their prior actions.

Do your child a favor and call a Utah juvenile defense attorney today. It’s not too late to help your son or daughter get back on the right track.

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Teen Vandal Arrested in Utah

Sep
13
Simms, on the topic of  Juvenile Defense Misc
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A teen vandal, who police believe is responsible for an extensive vandalism spree in the West Jordan area of Utah, has been arrested.

Photo: chorley.paul

What Happened?

The young man has allegedly been busily slashing vehicle tires, breaking into vehicles and setting dumpsters on fire at a local middle school—all since Labor Day weekend. Police stated that they don’t yet have any motives for the teen vandal since he’s not saying much to them.

Arson and vandalism are both serious crimes, particularly considering that the teen vandal allegedly slashed over 100 tires alone. He’s lucky the fires in the dumpster didn’t spread, too.

Good Reasons to Hire a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney

Even though it’s better not to commit crimes, it is important that anyone charged with a crime consult with a defense attorney immediately—even juveniles. There’s never any guarantee that a person accused of a crime will be let off with a “slap on the wrist,” which is why you want to have the advice and representation of an attorney who is well-versed and experienced in handling criminal defense cases.

Keep in mind that all people need and deserve the best legal support they can find, and kids are no exception. In the case of this teen vandal, there may be more involved than just a kid making some mistakes. Teenagers can be pretty complex individuals, so it’s worth finding out what’s going on inside that is sending them down a potentially dangerous path.

If your child is involved in any criminal activities or proceedings, don’t wait to call a Utah juvenile defense attorney. You and your child will benefit from the expertise of an attorney who is used to helping juveniles work their way through legal proceedings. Make that important phone call today.

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Utah Vandals Quote the Bible, Amongst Other Things

Feb
09
Simms, on the topic of  Juvenile Defense Misc
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Some Bible-quoting vandals recently struck in a northern Utah neighborhood, causing an undisclosed amount of damage to various properties.

Photo: Salim Virji

Messages Range From Spiritual to Obscene

The vandals, armed with green spray paint, weren’t feeling solely religious however. One woman’s home had a sexually obscene message spray painted on its garage door. The other vandalism took place on another private residence, two cars and an LDS church house.

What is Criminal Mischief?

Vandalism may also be referred to as criminal mischief. A person commits the crime of criminal mischief if he intentionally:

• Damages
• Defaces or
• Destroys

the property of another. Criminal mischief can result in vandals being charged with anything from a class B misdemeanor to a second-degree felony, depending on the circumstances surrounding the vandalism.

Graffiti Can Be a Favorite for Vandals

Graffiti is another form of vandalism. Graffiti can be:

• Printing
• Writing
• Spraying
• Scratching
• Affixing or
• Inscribing

anything on any surface without the owner’s permission. Graffiti also ranges from a class B misdemeanor to a second-degree felony depending on the cost of property damage. For example, if the damage caused amounts to less than $300, it would be a class B misdemeanor. On the other hand, property damage over $5000 would be a second-degree felony. Vandals who resort to using graffiti can face both financial and criminal penalties.

Let a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney Represent Your Child

If you have a child who has been charged with any criminal activities, it is important to consult a Utah juvenile defense attorney. Let an experienced attorney guide you through the challenging court system, instead of trying navigate it on your own. An attorney can help you have some piece of mind while you are supporting your child through a difficult time.

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Utah Teens Charged with Vandalism

May
20
Simms, on the topic of  Juvenile Court, Utah Law
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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.

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