DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY
Destruction of Property is criminal vandalism under Virginia law. Virginia punishes the intentional destruction, damage, defacing, and removal of property belonging to someone else. Generally, regardless of what kind of property you destroy in Virginia, the offense will be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony based on the value of the destruction. This crime has nothing to do with theft – larcenies are punished separately in VA.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE January 6 Capitol Prosecution Case Dismissed UNITED STATES V. JOHN ANDERSON John Anderson’s Pleadings 1) Motion for Pretrial Release – Granted 2) Motion for Release of Capitol Security Video to the Public – Granted 3) Reply to Government’s Opposition to Release of Video to Public 4) [...]
Read More ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CASE RESULT: Misdemeanor arrest and charge in Arlington, Virginia, for Destruction of Property valued under $1000, VA Law 18.2-137, a Class 1 misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2500 fine plus restitution, resulted in DROPPED charges for insufficient evidence to [...]
Read More ARLINGTON, VA Misdemeanor arrest and charge in Arlington County, Virginia, for Destruction of Property under VA Law 18.2-137, a Class 1 misdemeanor offense punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2500 fine plus restitution, resulted in DROPPED charges. Read more about Vandalism & Destruction of Property Law here: Virginia [...]
Read More DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY Destruction of Property is criminal vandalism under Virginia law. Virginia punishes the intentional destruction, damage, defacing, and removal of property belonging to someone else. Generally, regardless of what kind of property you destroy in Virginia, the offense will be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony based [...]
Read More FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA Destruction of Property Misdemeanor Charge under VA Law 18.2-137 for vandalizing vehicle resulted in DROPPED charges at the first hearing, notwithstanding video evidence of the criminal act. Fairfax County General District Court at 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia. Read more about Vandalism & Destruction of Property Law here: [...]
Read More ARLINGTON VIRGINIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CASE RESULT:Client was facing 4 criminal charges for an altercation with a cab driver. Class 1 jailable Misdemeanors included Failure to Pay for Rental Vehicle with intent to Defraud under Va Code 18.2-206, Assault and Battery under Va Code 18.2-57, and Destruction of Property with [...]
Read More ARLINGTON VIRGINIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY CASE RESULT: Misdemeanor charge for Entering Property to Cause Damage was DISMISSED. Arlington County General District Court at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA. § 18.2-121. Entering property of another for purpose of damaging it, etc. It shall be unlawful for any person to enter [...]
Read More FAIRFAX VIRGINIA ATTORNEY RESULT: Destruction of Property Misdemeanor Charge (VA Code 18.2-137) and a related Public Intoxication Misdemeanor Charge (Va Law 18.2-388) were both DROPPED at the first hearing without any restitution payments. Fairfax County General District Court at 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia. Read more about Drunk in [...]
Read More FAIRFAX VIRGINIA ATTORNEY CASE RESULT: Destruction of Property Misdemeanor Charge (VA Code 18.2-137) was DROPPED at the first court hearing. General District Court for Fairfax County, 4110 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA. Read more about Vandalism & Destruction of Property Law here: Virginia Destruction of Property and Vandalism Laws and [...]
Read More FAIRFAX VIRGINIA CRIMINAL ATTORNEY RESULT: Three misdemeanor charges – Drunk in Public misdemeanor charge (Va Law 18.2-388, Fairfax County Code 5-1-1), associated Destruction of Property Charge, and Open Container Charge (Fairfax Code 5-1-25) – were all DROPPED. Courthouse: Fairfax County General District Court, 4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030. [...]
Read More ARLINGTON VIRGINIA ATTORNEY RESULT: Misdemeanor charge for Entering Property to Damage (VA Code 18.2-121) will be DISMISSED after 6 months of good behavior and an alcohol abuse assessment. Arlington County General District Court at 1425 N. Courthouse Rd, Arlington, Virginia. § 18.2-121. Entering property of another for purpose of damaging [...]
Read More ARLINGTON VIRGINIA ATTORNEY CASE RESULT: Destruction of Property Misdemeanor Charge (VA Code 18.2-137) was AMENDED to Trespass and this Trespass charge will be DISMISSED after completion of community service and other such conditions. Related Drunk in Public misdemeanor charge, Va Law 18.2-388, was DROPPED at the initial appearance. General District [...]
Read More PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY / MANASSAS VIRGINIA: Misdemeanor Destruction of Property Charge (VA Code 18.2-137) was DROPPED. Read more about Vandalism & Destruction of Property Law here: Virginia Destruction of Property and Vandalism Laws and Defenses [hideit hide=”.tags”]
Read More PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY / MANASSAS VIRGINIA: Misdemeanor Destruction of Property Charge (VA Code 18.2-137) will be DISMISSED after payment for alleged damage. Read more about Vandalism & Destruction of Property Law here: Destruction of Property Charges in Virginia | A Defense Lawyer’s explanation of vandalism laws and requirements for felony [...]
Read More MEDVIN LAW PRESS RELEASE February 25, 2011 Facing a life sentence – All Charges Dismissed in Commonwealth v. Court FAIRFAX, VA: On February 2, 2011, The Honorable Donald P. McDonough, the Chief Judge of the Fairfax County General District Court, presided over the Preliminary Hearing of the government’s evidence against [...]
Read More Penalty: Virginia law 18.2-137 punishes vandalism as a Class 6 felony when the value of or damage to the property is $1,000 or higher. The exact same act is punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor when the value of or damage to the property is less than $1,000. If you are convicted of this crime, the court will likely order you to pay restitution to the victim.
The amount of loss caused by the destruction, defacing, damage or removal of such property, memorial or monument may be established in a court of law by proving the fair market cost of repair or fair market replacement value. A witness who is familiar with the destroyed property may testify in court as to the value and that testimony may be considered sufficient by the judge to establish that number.
Destruction of property / vandalism may also be charged under the following code sections:
15.2-1812.2 – Willful and malicious damage to or defacement of public or private facilities
18.2-135. Destruction of posted signs; posting land of another
18.2-137. Injuring, etc., any property, monument, etc.
18.2-140. Destruction of trees, shrubs, etc.
18.2-162. Damage or trespass to public services or utilities
§ 18.2-137. Injuring, etc., any property, monument, etc.
A. If any person unlawfully destroys, defaces, damages, or removes without the intent to steal any property, real or personal, not his own, or breaks down, destroys, defaces, damages, or removes without the intent to steal, any monument or memorial for war veterans, not his own, described in § 15.2-1812; any monument erected to mark the site of any engagement fought during the Civil War, or any memorial to designate the boundaries of any city, town, tract of land, or any tree marked for that purpose, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, provided that the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the charge if the locality or organization that owns or is responsible for maintaining the injured property, monument, or memorial files a written affidavit with the court stating it has received full payment for the injury.
B. If any person who is not the owner of such property intentionally causes such injury, he is guilty of (i) a Class 1 misdemeanor if the value of or damage to the property, memorial, or monument is less than $1,000 or (ii) a Class 6 felony if the value of or damage to the property, memorial, or monument is $1,000 or more. The amount of loss caused by the destruction, defacing, damage, or removal of such property, memorial, or monument may be established by proof of the fair market cost of repair or fair market replacement value. Upon conviction, the court may order that the defendant pay restitution.
