No person shall purposely or knowingly vandalize, deface or otherwise
damage the tangible property of another by painting, writing, drawing or otherwise
inscribing in any fashion or materials what is commonly known as "graffiti."
For the purposes of this chapter, "graffiti" includes any form of painting,
writing or inscription, regardless of the content of said painting, writing
or inscription or the nature of materials used in the commission of the act.
If, at the time of the offense charged, any persons shall be under the
age of 18 years, the Family Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of the
trial of such infant or infants, and such infant or infants shall be surrendered
to the Family Court and the case, including all papers and process thereto,
shall be transferred to the court as provided in N.J.S.A. 2C:4-l 1.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days
or a fine of not less than $100 and not exceeding $1,250 or a period of community
service for not more than 90 days, or any combination thereof, at the discretion
of the Municipal Court. As a condition of sentencing, the Municipal Court
shall have the authority to order that the offender be responsible for cleaning,
repairing, painting or otherwise restoring the damaged property to the condition
it was in prior to being damaged. In the event that the offender is unable,
for any reason, to comply with the above, the Municipal Court shall have the
authority to order that said offender make the necessary monetary restitution
to restore the property to its original undamaged condition.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-lS, any parent, guardian or other person having legal custody of an infant under 18 years of age who fails or neglects to exercise reasonable supervision and control of the conduct of such infant shall be liable in a civil action for any destruction or damage caused by such infant offender under §
177-1.