What may seem like a harmless prank can have serious consequences. One of these pranks is destroying public mailboxes. This is a federal crime that can lead to jail time and thousands of dollars in fines.

Mailbox vandalism is a popular prank among teens and young adults. A destroyed mailbox is an annoyance for homeowners but, for the person who committed the offense, it can be a serious crime. Mailbox vandalism is a federal crime that is punishable by a fine and/or prison time. The federal U.S. Postal Inspection Service prosecutes those who damage mailboxes. Fines can be up to $250,000 and three years in prison for each offense. What may seem like a harmless prank can become a nightmare quickly for those who are facing mailbox vandalism charges.

A person who has been arrested for mailbox vandalism and their families may feel scared and not know what to do. What may seem like an innocent prank and inappropriate behavior can turn into a serious situation quickly. An attorney who specializes in criminal law can help defend a person who is facing these charges. An attorney can defend their client and fight to reduce penalties and help their client get back on track. This can help protect their future employment opportunities, scholarship opportunities, college admissions, etc.

Federal vandalism charges are actually a serious crime. An attorney can help defend their client and protect their legal rights, while helping reduce the charges and protecting their client's good reputation. They can help a family stay together and try to minimize the impact this situation can have.

Source: postalinspectors.uspis.gov, "Protecting yourself from mailbox vandalism", accessed on March 12, 2017