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Philadelphia Vandalism Lawyer

Vandalism Defense Attorney in Philadelphia, PA Contesting Property Damage Allegations Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania

Vandalism is the deliberate destruction or damage of public or private property. You are potentially facing heavy fines, jail time, or even time behind bars in state prison. Do not make the mistake of believing that these charges will somehow blow over or that you will be let off with a warning. You need an experienced Philadelphia attorney at your side to beat these charges.

Call our firm at (215) 610-3440 or complete our online contact form for your consultation.

Find Out What Your Case is Worth

We invite you to reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. Call (215) 610-3440 or contact us online to learn more.

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Institutional Vandalism

As per statute 3307, institutional vandalism occurs when a person desecrates, defaces, or does other damage to a place of worship, a burial site, a school, public or government, or on the grounds of any of the aforementioned locations. Institutional vandalism is considered a third degree felony if the damages exceed $5,000 or if the act was one of desecration. Under to Pennsylvania Statute 5509 desecration is defined as, “Defacing, damaging, polluting or otherwise physically mistreating in a way that the actor knows will outrage the sensibilities of persons likely to observe or discover the action.” Otherwise, the crime is a second degree misdemeanor.

Agricultural Vandalism

Under statute 3309, if the vandalism is towards a piece of property used in agriculture or the farming industry, then it is considered to be “agricultural vandalism.” Vandalism in this sense is any intentional or reckless defacing, marking, or damaging of real or tangible personal property.

If the defendant intentionally caused pecuniary losses, they will be charged as follows:

Pecuniary losses caused by either recklessness or intent greater than $500 — Misdemeanor of the second degree
Pecuniary losses caused by intent greater than$1,000 — Misdemeanor of the first degree
Pecuniary losses caused by intent greater than $5,000 — Felony of the third degree

A second degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to two years incarceration and a fine of $5,000. A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to five years incarceration and a fine of $10,000. A third degree felony is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of $15,000, pursuant to Pennsylvania Statute 106 and Pennsylvania Statute 1101. Each act of vandalism can be charged as a separate offense. For example, if you allegedly damaged multiple pieces of agricultural property of various owners, you could be charged with half a dozen vandalism offenses.

The Person Who Sees The Whole Picture Meet Michael T. van der Veen

From local business owners, to the President of the United States, we fight for everyone's best interest. As founder of the firm, Michael T. van der Veen effortlessly combines accessibility, experience, negotiation, collaboration, and compassion to achieve results. He is the rare trial attorney who excels in both civil litigation and criminal defense. Known for his unwavering commitment to serving as the voice of the victim and advocate for the accused, he has established his reputation by winning multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in State and Federal Courts, as well as winning major criminal trials across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vandalism Charges

Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 215-610-3440 today!

Vandalism includes intentionally damaging, defacing, marking, or destroying public or private property. This can involve graffiti, breaking windows, damaging vehicles, tampering with signs, or causing harm to structures. Specific forms of vandalism—such as institutional or agricultural vandalism—carry enhanced penalties based on the type of property involved.
Penalties depend on the nature of the offense and the value of the damage. Institutional vandalism can be charged as a third degree felony when damages exceed $5,000 or when desecration is involved. Agricultural vandalism ranges from a second degree misdemeanor to a third degree felony depending on the pecuniary loss. Sentences may include fines from $5,000 to $15,000 and incarceration from two to seven years.
Institutional vandalism involves damage to places of worship, schools, government buildings, burial grounds, or their grounds. Because these locations hold cultural, public, or religious significance, the law imposes stricter penalties—particularly when the conduct qualifies as desecration, meaning the act would outrage those who observe or discover it.
Yes. Pennsylvania law allows each damaged item or property belonging to different owners to be charged as a separate count. For example, if multiple pieces of agricultural equipment or structures are allegedly damaged, each one may result in its own vandalism charge, significantly increasing potential penalties.

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"this law firm has afforded low income people of Philadelphia a relationship with an attorney that they can come and meet. To have a the intuition to give a damn about the little people, and then give them that same kind of respect and consideration is unmatched." -Melvin
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