Daños a edificios públicos y penalidades en Virginia

Explicación Simple

Si rompes algo en un lugar público como una biblioteca o un edificio del gobierno, podrías meterte en problemas. Si el daño es muy grande, podrías enfrentar una multa o hasta ir a la cárcel por un tiempo.

Es como si rompieras una ventana en la casa de un amigo; no solo tienes que pagar por la ventana, también podrías perder su confianza y tener problemas con sus padres.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan, en un ataque de ira, rompe una ventana del ayuntamiento durante una protesta. Como el daño costó más de $1,000, Juan podría ser acusado de un delito grave y enfrentarse a serias consecuencias legales.

Penalidades

Multas y posibles penas de cárcel; delitos menores para daños menores de $1,000 y delitos graves para daños mayores.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 18.2-138 - Damaging public buildings, etc.; penalty. Any person who willfully and maliciously (i) breaks any window or door of the Capitol, any courthouse, house of public worship, institution of higher education, school house, city or town hall, or other public building or library, (ii) damages or defaces the Capitol or any other public building or any statuary in the Capitol, on the Capitol Square, or in or on any other public buildings or public grounds, or (iii) destroys any property in any of such buildings shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony if damage to the property is $1,000 or more or a Class 1 misdemeanor if the damage is less than $1,000. Any person who willfully and unlawfully damages or defaces any book, newspaper, magazine, pamphlet, map, picture, manuscript, or other property located in any library, reading room, museum, or other educational institution shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony if damage to the property is $1,000 or more or a Class 1 misdemeanor if the damage is less than $1,000. Code 1950, § 18.1-177; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1990, c. 454. Va. Code § 18.2-138.1 - Repealed. Repealed by Acts 2004, c. 462 . Va. Code § 18.2-139 - Injuries to trees, fences or herbage on grounds of Capitol, or in any public square. If any person: (1) Cut down, pull up, girdle or otherwise injure or destroy any tree growing in the grounds of the Capitol, or in any public square or grounds, without the consent of the Governor, or of the circuit court of the county or city in which such grounds or square is situated; or (2) Willfully and maliciously injure the fences or herbage of the Capitol grounds, or of any such square or grounds, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Code 1950, § 18.1-180; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15.