California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Elmachtoub, H038439 (Cal. App. 2014):
5. Respondent objects to reliance on a dictionary definition as "narrow and literal." The objection is misplaced. "When attempting to ascertain the ordinary, usual meaning of a word, courts appropriately refer to the dictionary definition of that word" (Wasatch Property Management v. Degrate (2005) 35 Cal.4th 1111, 1121-1122.)
6. We do not intend to incorporate this definition into section 136.2.
7. Defendant should also note that maliciously damaging or destroying another person's property is already prohibited by section 594.
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