Mass. Registry Suspends Licenses for Tagging

A conviction for the crime of “tagging” will result in an automatic one (1) year license suspension. Tagging refers to the spraying or application of paint or a sticker to a building, wall, fence, sign, tablet, gravestone, monument or other object or thing with the intent to deface, mar, damage, mark or destroy property. There is no hardship license available for tagging suspensions. However, in some cases, the Board of Appeal may authorize the issuance of a limited 12 hour hardship license for educational, medical, or work purposes. If the person convicted of or adjudicated a delinquent child by reason of “tagging” is under the age of sixteen, he or she will have one year added to the minimum age of eligibility for applying for a Mass. Driver’s License.

The MBTA Police Department frequently targets taggers of trains, subway cars, busses, and other public conveyances as well as train and bus stations. The Massachusetts anti-tagging law was implemented to deter a crime which causes approximately 12 billion dollars per year, nationwide, to have graffiti removed. The mandatory license suspension was included with the anti-graffiti legislation to further deter young adults from committing the crime.