graffiti - Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo

Vandalism and Graffiti Charges Under California Penal Code 594

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:17:28 GMT

A vandalism allegation often feels bigger than the spray can or broken window at the center of it, and the first question most people have is whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony. Under California law, the answer usually comes down to one number: the dollar value of the damage.

As an Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer, Attorney Will Bruzzo of the Law Offices of William Bruzzo helps people facing these charges understand where they stand.

What Does a Penal Code 594 Charge Actually Mean?

Penal Code Section 594 covers three kinds of acts: defacing property with graffiti or other markings, damaging property, or destroying it. The property has to belong to someone other than the person accused.

The act also has to be malicious, meaning done on purpose rather than by accident. That intent requirement is often an important part of the analysis, because not every broken or marked object involves the state of mind the statute requires.

How Does the Damage Amount Decide Misdemeanor vs. Felony?

The value of the damage sets the seriousness of the charge:

Under $400: a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000, rising to as much as $5,000 with a qualifying prior.
$400 or more: a wobbler, which the district attorney may file as either a misdemeanor or a felony, with a fine of up to $10,000.
$10,000 or more in damage: the maximum fine rises to $50,000.

On top of any jail time or fine, a conviction can carry victim restitution, which is separate from the fine, along with community service or graffiti cleanup and a graffiti-free order under Section 594(c) that can last up to a year.

What Extra Consequences Come With a Conviction?

Some consequences surprise people. Under Vehicle Code Section 13202.6, a vandalism conviction for anyone age 13 or older can lead to a driver’s license suspension of up to two years, subject to a hardship exception and reducible through community service.

Restitution to the property owner is ordered in addition to any fine, and when a minor is involved, a parent can be held liable for the fine. Details on how victim restitution works are available through the California Courts self-help resources.

How Are Vandalism Cases Handled in Orange County Courts?

Where a case is heard follows where the incident happened. Orange County routes these matters through the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach, the North Justice Center in Fullerton, and the West Justice Center in Westminster.

A defense often looks closely at the valuation, since the $400 and $10,000 lines carry so much weight, and at questions of identity, consent or ownership, and whether the act was truly malicious. Attorney Will Bruzzo has handled these cases in Orange County courts for over 30 years.

Talk With an Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your PC 594 Charge

A vandalism charge can carry consequences well beyond a fine, but the outcome is not fixed at the moment of arrest. The Law Offices of William Bruzzo brings over 30 years of Orange County criminal defense experience to these cases.

Call (714) 547-4636 or contact us online today for a completely free, confidential consultation. We are available 24/7. El Abogado Habla Español.

Administrative Fines for Tagging in Orange County City

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:40:00 GMT

In Garden Grove, Orange County, taggers will now be fined up to $1,000 for possession of graffiti instruments. The city will even make parents pay, if the tagger is a juvenile. The issuance of these citations will be starting March 1st. According to the Orange County Register, City Manager Matt Fertal said administrative fines are a “tried and tested tactic for Garden Grove.” In the recent past, citations for illegal fireworks proved to be very effective after a city ordinance was passed allowing law enforcement to issue administrative citations to those shooting off illegal fireworks. Fertal also notes that the fines are a quicker more efficient way to handle these less serious offenses. Money collected from these fines will help pay for wiping out all the graffiti that’s already been done. In other Orange County cities, taggers face criminal prosecution (and suspension of their license if convicted) in the court system rather than administrative fines, so Garden Grove taggers should count themselves lucky. (See also Penal Code Section 594, Vandalism and Penal Code Section 594.2, Possession of Vandalism Tools).

Gang Members Attack Graffiti Victim

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:35:00 GMT

Last July two men and a 17 year old were arrested in connection with stabbing and beating a man. Last Friday Nicolas Duran, Alejandro Duran and 17 year old Manola Mauricio pled guilty to one count of aggravated assault(Penal Code Section 245(a)(1), one count of street terrorism (Penal Code Section 186.22) and a sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. Both counts were felonies and Mauricio was prosecuted as an adult according to the Orange County register. The police report revealed that the victim noticed three adults writing graffiti on a wall and told them to stop. Those same three adults and two others on bikes followed the victim and beat him. Mauricio received credit for time served of 200 days and was placed on probation. The D.A. objected to all three defendants’ sentences, believing that either based on their criminal records or the nature of the incident each should do more time.

To learn more about the outcome of this case watch an OC in Two video produced by the Orange County Register.