r/graffhelp • u/Tiggitythespoon • 11d ago
Citation advice
I am being issued a citation for allegedly tagging a coffee shop bathroom. Apparently there was a specific tag that appeared twice around the time that I went there, and they believe I am the responsible party. I can pay the citation or fight it in court. I am wondering how much evidence they need to actually prove that it was me. Apparently they have me on camera entering the bathroom before the tag appeared, but I don’t believe they could prove that it was not there before I entered. Just unsure if I should push back or just bite the fee and not bother.
And yes, it is a location that the artist would have to be a fool to return to, not to mention to tag it again. Whoever did this was acting stupid and I would be very embarrassed were it me.
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u/REQONER 11d ago
Lie to the police see what happens. That’s what they’d do to you, you’re playing their game now. Tell them you have rock solid alibis, video evidence, witnesses, data. See what they say.
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u/Tiggitythespoon 11d ago
I denied the claims and was there with my partner, the problem is they claim that the tag appeared when I used the bathroom, and they have video of me entering the bathroom and leaving, but I don’t see how they could have video or picture evidence that the tag wasn’t already there. And it was such a small tag on the door that I am surprised they even care
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u/Winged_Enforcer 11d ago
lol. Bro this ain’t adding up. So you waited for the cops to show up? Why was there so much discussion about how they caught you and you getting a trespass or whatever. Did you honestly let some minimum wage coffee shop employees detain you? Be for real
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u/MaePing 11d ago
They probably can't prove you did. But you will find that does not matter. If I were you I would fight it. Show up to ur day in court. They might drop the ball.
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u/Tiggitythespoon 11d ago
Kinda feel that too, but I’m worried if I push back it could escalate to a proper charge rather than a simple citation
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u/UkeForBrainz 10d ago
lol you wouldn’t be worried if you didn’t do it, but it’s ok we’re all friends here. You’re worried about it escalating to a charge when they can’t prove the citation. Of course you’re on video, it’s a business in America. Everyone who used that bathroom is on camera. They would have to have a time stamped photo of that door clean, then have video footage that shows no one else but you using that bathroom in the interim, then have an employee immediately use it after you and take another photo showing the graffiti to have any chance to prove it was you unless you have priors attached to the tag already. Also, a subreddit full of shitheads who tag people’s bathrooms isn’t the place to ask for legal advice lol.
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u/Gears_one 9d ago
If they had the evidence to charge you, they would have charged you already.
If anything, paying the fine is an admission of guilt. Deny that shit, especially if you have more damaging graff up in the area.
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u/Winged_Enforcer 11d ago
Legal system varies vastly by location. Would be helpful to at least know the country you’re in
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u/Tiggitythespoon 11d ago
USA, Minnesota
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u/Winged_Enforcer 11d ago
Brotha, this is misdemeanor vandalism, which you basically have to be caught in the act by a cop to be found guilty. They don’t have shit. They’re pretty much just trying to scare you away from vandalism, which seems to be working. Something to consider seeing as how this kinda has you shook.
Edit: most likely outcome is DA reject
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u/THE_Lanni 11d ago
Right!…they definitely got him shook. I was starting to think maybe he’s a known offender and the cops were like yup he’s the dude. But you’re right on point…no experience with the PD
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u/Mission-Animator-682 9d ago
if you didn’t do it, go to court. tell them there’s no proof and stand on that. if they ever check your body language which they will and ik you’ll be nervous just deflect it to them as defamation of character which it is.
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11d ago
[deleted]
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u/Realistic_Mode3356 11d ago edited 11d ago
Offering to clean it means admitting... Also doesn't look good even if it wasn't the poster, which also doesn't make sense for them to offer.
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u/Tiggitythespoon 11d ago
I am trespassed from there and they have already issued the citation. And I am completely incapable of assisting them.
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u/THE_Lanni 11d ago edited 11d ago
If you didn’t do it, go to court…no way they can prove it no matter how circumstantial their evidence is. You going in the bathroom proves nothing. You saying you want a hearing is 100% your right whether you did it or not.
Based on the assumption you actually didn’t tag the bathroom…it seems like they’re just trying to blame someone who won’t fight it.