Officials frustrated by property crimes are calling for harsher penalties, making it even more important to have an expert criminal attorney in Los Angeles.
Officials and residents alike are getting fed up with petty crimes in Los Angeles. Earlier in June, City Councilman Paul Krekorian introduced a motion he hopes will make vandals easier to catch and easier to punish.
The motion specifically applies to vandals who deface city murals with graffiti. According to officials in the Los Angeles Office of Community Beautification, 32.8 million square feet of graffiti goes up in our city each year. Removing this graffiti costs about $7.7 million dollars per year. An additional $1.75 million has also been allocated for mural restoration throughout the city, which with include repainting faded murals as well as covering up graffiti.
In Krekorian’s district, at least one mural per month gets vandalized. In response to this problem, the councilman has mounted a two-pronged attack. First of all, he has called for the city council to double the reward for information leading to the conviction of graffiti taggers. This means individuals could receive $2,000 in reward money if Krekorian gets his way.
Secondly, Krekorian has urged the City Attorney to provide lawmakers with stiffer penalties for those who deface buildings, signs, & murals with graffiti. Currently, the Los Angeles municipal code provides for fines of $250, $500, and $1,000 for the first, second, and third conviction on graffiti vandalism charges. The state penal code also provides for a means of punishing vandals. Jail time is even possible if the damage is sufficiently extensive and costly.
Regardless of whether or not Krekorian and his supporters succeed in this specific instance, getting convicted of vandalism or any type of crime—however minor it may seem—can still have a big impact on your life. Here’s why it is important to retain a skilled criminal attorney in Los Angeles whenever you are charged with any sort of crime:
The public defender doesn’t have time for you. Public defenders mean well, but they are overworked and don’t have time to delve into the details of your case like a dedicated criminal attorney in Los Angeles would.
A conviction will follow you for years. Any kind of criminal conviction will show up on your background reports and can potentially make it difficult to get a new job, sign a lease, etc. You would not want to suffer this in any case but especially not for a minor crime. A criminal attorney in Los Angeles may be able to get the charges dropped or secure a not guilty verdict for you in court.
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At Chambers Law Firm, we handle criminal cases large and small with the same dedication and professionalism. Please contact us today for expert representation.
