lawn signs and the law in PA

[betweenwars]

Long time lurker--poster from time to time here. This is my first thread.

I need some legal advice. We've had, here in our rural PA town of mostly republicans, the usual lawn sign stealing, but last Friday night/Saturday morning was different. This was not only organized and widespread, it involved trespassing and cutting down signs wired onto light poles. That is, this involved bringing, essentially, a sharp instrument onto someone's property late at night (and carting away the remnants). This item was brought as part of an activity that can easily become confrontational if one is caught. It seems to me that this is an extremely serious thing (for which, I've no doubt, one could be shot around here).

Additionally, one light pole received some rather obvious scratch marks, so we know that there was some serious cutting done.

I've heard that sign stealing in and of itself is either a felony or a felony one month before an election: is this so in PA?

Moreover, to what degree is trespassing an issue? Or is there something more to that aspect I'm missing? (Some of the signs were well onto the property--near the front door.)

And what would the sharp instrument issue be considered, if one were to bring charges?

Many are planning on filing police reports, and I'm looking for the proper vocabulary, the "terms of art" that a lawyer might use when presenting these issues.

Thanks to you guys and gals,
Mitch G.

[Kire]

1. report it to the police

they can answer any questions you have

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Theft is still a felony in PA

I think that's the case everywhere.

Let's see ... Theft, Vandalism, Trespass, conspiracy to commit the same, and a Hate Law rider for the political aspect.

Add two years if they were carrying a gun.

Don't worry about getting the legal language correct. Lawyers can be more creative working from the unformed clay of an outraged law-abiding citizen.

--bkl

[betweenwars]

8. thanks

very useful. I'll check on the Hate Law Rider: it's a term worth dropping no matter what when I speak to some of the locals in power.

M

[Fescue4u]

3. "sharp insturment"

That part sounds kinda silly makes us sound like wimps.

Just prosecute the theft and don't worry about pointy things.

[ecoalex]

4. Small minds

The freepers and fundies are rabid, they are on a mission from God.They have been told Kerry is the devil, remember the Kerry will ban bibles crap last week? Religionists see US vrs THEM, and God is on their side.Sad what the republicans have wrought.

[No Mandate Here.]

5. Welcome to the posting world!

Where are you. I am in Somerset, and we have to other sign stealing threads going now...

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=961851&mesg_id=961851>

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x961625>

[betweenwars]

7. tioga county

just a quick trip to Corning, if you like, I dunno, food and stuff.

But we have a nice Wal-Mart.

I'll check on your links

Thanks,
M

[clydefrand]

6. Have you thought about putting up signs

in your yard saying: Posted: No Trespassing. That way you've warned them to stay off your property if you do indeed have to confront them. Put the sign right beside your Kerry/Edwards sign so they're sure to see it. It might deter some people.

The instrument used to cut your signs down might be considered a "concealed weapon".

Take pictures of your signs so that you have a record of them/dated...pictures before and after putting them up. Take pictures of damages done as evidence.