Walk It Through: The Keyed Car
Malicious damage graded at $1,000, damage added together, and harassment after a request to stop.
After a parking dispute, a neighbor drags a key down the side of another neighbor's car.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One car and one key. Restitution, a suit in small claims for the repair, and stalking are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- HarassmentFollowing someone in public, watching their home, or a malicious course of conduct that alarms or seriously annoys, with intent to harass, after a reasonable warning or request to stop. Up to 90 days for a first offense.
- Second degree assaultAny assault, a misdemeanor carrying up to 10 years, a $2,500 fine, or both.
- StalkingA malicious course of conduct meant or reasonably known to place someone in reasonable fear of serious harm, or to cause serious emotional distress. Up to 5 years, a $5,000 fine, or both.
- Malicious destructionWillfully and maliciously destroying, injuring or defacing another's property. Less than $1,000 in damage carries up to 60 days, a $500 fine, or both.