Louisiana Criminal Damage to Property by Defacing with Graffiti Law

A.  It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally deface with graffiti immovable or movable property, whether publicly or privately owned, without the consent of the owner.

B.  As used in this Section, the following terms mean:

(1)  "Deface" or "defacing" is the damaging of immovable or movable property by means of painting, marking, scratching, drawing, or etching with graffiti.

(2)  "Graffiti" includes but is not limited to any sign, inscription, design, drawing, diagram, etching, sketch, symbol, lettering, name, or marking placed upon immovable or movable property in such a manner and in such a location as to deface the property and be visible to the general public.

C.  Whoever commits the crime of criminal damage to property by defacing with graffiti, where the damage is less than five hundred dollars, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months in the parish jail, or both.

D.  Where the damage is more than five hundred dollars but less than fifty thousand dollars, the offender shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than two years, or both.

E.  Where the damage amounts to fifty thousand dollars or more, the offender shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than one nor more than ten years, or both.

F.(1)  The court, in addition to any punishment imposed under the provisions of this Section, may order the offender to clean up, repair, or replace any property damaged by the act or to pay restitution to the owner of the damaged property.

(2)  The court may also order the offender to perform the following hours of community service:

(a)  For a first conviction, not to exceed thirty-two hours over a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days.

(b)  For a second or subsequent conviction, sixty-four hours over a period not to exceed one hundred eighty days.

G.  If a minor is personally unable to pay a fine levied for acts prohibited by this Section or make restitution as may be ordered by the court, the parent or guardian of the minor shall be liable for payment of the fine or restitution.  A court may waive payment of the fine or restitution, or any part thereof, by the parent or guardian of the minor upon a finding of good cause.