Vandalism is a crime in California pursuant to Penal Code Section 594. It is the act of damaging, destroying, or defacing real property belonging to another person or institution. Since the act is perpetrated against property, not against people, it is generally seen as “less serious” than violent crimes committed against people. But if you’re convicted of vandalism, your misdemeanor charge will be on your permanent criminal record; and you may have to serve up to a year in jail and pay funds approaching $50,000, depending on the cost of the damage/defacement inflicted.  Some vandalism charges can also affect the defendant’s driving privileges.