574.085. Institutional vandalism, offense of — violation, penalty.
It’s a crime to damage places like churches, schools, cemeteries, or public monuments.
This law makes it illegal to vandalize or destroy property that belongs to religious, educational, burial, or public institutions. The penalty depends on how much damage is done.
1. A person commits institutional vandalism if they knowingly vandalize, deface, or damage any of the following:
- (1) Churches, synagogues, or other places of religious worship;
- (2) Cemeteries, mortuaries, military monuments, or places used to memorialize the dead;
- (3) Religious schools, community centers, hospitals, or clinics;
- (4) Grounds next to and owned or rented by any of the places listed above;
- (5) Personal property inside any of the listed institutions;
- (6) School buses or vehicles used by public or private schools to transport students;
- (7) Public monuments or structures on public property owned by a government entity.
2. Penalties for institutional vandalism depend on the damage amount:
- Class A misdemeanor if the damage is under $750;
- Class E felony if the damage is $750 or more;
- Class D felony if the damage is over $5,000.
3. When calculating damage, the law includes the cost to repair or replace the property.
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