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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
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    3

    Default Felony Vandalism Charge for Keying a Car

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: California. I admitted to keying a car after a video evidence was presented. I was booked and charged felony vandalism since the damage was $2000. What are by best chances of reducing the charge to a misdemeanor or less. I have no record, am otherwise a good citizen, I volunteer to causes. I work in the healthcare field and fear losing my job. Would letters from my peers help. Would hiring a lawyer help to plead my case or speaking directly to DA help?

  2. #2
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    Dec 2009
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    Default Re: Felony Vandalism Charge for Keying a Car

    You need an attorney.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
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    18,340

    Default Re: Felony Vandalism Charge for Keying a Car

    Quote Quoting kokopops67
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    What are by best chances of reducing the charge to a misdemeanor or less. I have no record, am otherwise a good citizen, I volunteer to causes. I work in the healthcare field and fear losing my job. Would letters from my peers help. Would hiring a lawyer help to plead my case or speaking directly to DA help?
    None of that will help.

    The only thing that might help is pleading not guilty (despite the evidence). The cost and time required for a trial could give the prosecution the incentive to offer a plea and an attorney might be able to dispute the cost of repair.

    You definitely need to hire a lawyer, whatever the cost.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    California
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    20,594

    Default Re: Felony Vandalism Charge for Keying a Car

    Yes, it is possible to have the charge reduced to a misdemeanor per PC 17(b), but, whether the DA will agree to do so depends on factors we do not know.

    You need to hire an attorney who can work this out with the DA. Chances are, if you agree to pay the fines and make restitution, they can drop the charge to a misdemeanor in exchange for a guilty plea.

    Disputing the value of the damage won't do much good unless the estimate is WAAAAY off since the threshold for felony vandalism is only $400 and a typical paint and repair job for a fender area to include proper blending and labor often exceeds $500 on the low end.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
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    3

    Default Re: Felony Vandalism Charge for Keying a Car

    Any idea on the amount of fines? What is it based out of? Much appreciated on all the replies..

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
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    Default Re: Felony Vandalism Charge for Keying a Car

    Just a heads' up Esteemed Colleagues, I believe this is the case where OP keyed his neighbour's car in response to his neighbour reporting OP's apparently-numerous municipal by-law violations. Don't know if this will have an effect on the outcome of OP's car-keying case, just putting it out there.

    OP is also looking to sue his neighbour for reporting him.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
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    17,019

    Default Re: Felony Vandalism Charge for Keying a Car

    Unless by some iota of luck, you prove the damages only require repair to specific panels and the repairs will lower the amount of damages, you are screwed. An example is a 20 year old car, not worth $2000 with scratches and other body damage everywhere such that normal repairs would be unjust enrichment.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    1,419

    Default Re: Felony Vandalism Charge for Keying a Car

    Your best chance for a reduction to a misdemeanor,is thru a lawyer. Since it's your 1st offense,if you agree to pay all the damage,a lawyer might be able to work something out.

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