Sidewalk Chalk: Is it a crime? Jury in Bank of America sidewalk chalk case says no [VIDEO], acquits artist facing 13 years in prison

Sidewalk chalk is a child's toy, enabling feats of artistic imagination. In front of Bank of America, sidewalk chalk is a crime, though.  Jeff Olson of San Diego faced 13 years in prison and up to @13,000 in fines for misdemeanor charges of sidewalk chalk writing.  After a four-day trial, Olson was found not guilty of the vandalism charges on Tuesday.

According to USAToday, Olson, 40, wrote messages like "Shame on B of A" in chalk outside of Bank of America branches in the San Diego area. While Olson's anti-big bank messages were created using washable chalk, San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith decided to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law after his arrest. If convicted, Olson could have landed in prison for 13 years on 13 misdemeanor counts of vandalism.

The case drew criticism online.  Mayor Bob Filner of San Diego called the case a "nonsense prosecution" done due to the political power of Bank of America. Jeff Olson was lucky that his jury agreed with Filner and found Olson not guilty of all charges after a five-hour deliberation.

Despite Olson's acquittal, City Attorney Goldsmith continues to believe that his chalk drawings are a serious matter.  She denies having any political motivation in her prosecution.

"Graffiti remains vandalism in the state of California," Michael Giorgino, a spokesman for Goldsmith, said to UTSan Diego. "Under the law, there is no First Amendment right to deface property, even if the writing is easily removed, whether the message is aimed at banks or any other person or group. We are, however, sympathetic to the strong public reaction to this case and the jury's message."

Watch Sidewalk Chalk video here:

Jeff Olson maintains that he was practicing in a peaceful protest against Bank of America, who he believes helped tank the American economy.

"I would write what I was thinking that day," Olson said. "Matthew 21:12, the Bible verse where Jesus kicks the bankers out of the temple. Sometimes I would write, 'No thanks, big banks,' sometimes 'Shame on B of A.' Then I started to get more creative. Sometimes it was hideous octopus tentacles grabbing at dollar bills.

"I'm not much of an artist, but sometimes it's fun to play with chalk just like kids do."