{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "145.22", "citation": "Penal Law § 145.22", "heading": "Cemetery desecration in the second degree", "text": ["§ 145.22 Cemetery desecration in the second degree.", "A person is guilty of cemetery desecration in the second degree when: (a) with intent to damage property of another person, and having no right to do so nor any reasonable ground to believe that he has such right, he damages any real or personal property maintained as a cemetery plot, grave, burial place or other place of interment of human remains; or", "(b) with intent to steal personal property, he steals personal property which is located at a cemetery plot, grave, burial place or other place of interment of human remains and which property is owned by the person or organization which maintains or owns such place or the estate, next-of-kin or representatives of the deceased person interred there.", "Cemetery desecration in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/145.22", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits second-degree cemetery desecration by:\n- **(a)** intending to damage another's property and **without a right to do so or any reasonable ground to believe there is one**, **damaging any real or personal property maintained as a cemetery plot, grave, burial place, or other place of interment of human remains**; or\n- **(b)** intending to steal, **stealing personal property located at such a place** that is owned by the person or organization that **maintains or owns the place**, or by the **deceased's estate, next of kin, or representatives**. ★\nIt is a **class A misdemeanor**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/145.22", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}