If they're tryin to give you 3 years on some bullshit (like writing on walls) then fuck them. Bounce. Make it hard for them. But if you do, it will eventually catch up to you unless you have crazy conections like where you can get a fake id and social and just start over again. The way I see it is you're most likely young and 3 years is 3 of your better years and it's better that it catches up to you when you're older and have your shit together (and 3 years doesn't seem so long). Maybe have the wife and kid thing already started so you actually have something to come home to other than a halfway house. Make it hard for them motherfuckers and go to the opposite side of the country so they have to pay good money to go get your ass when you do get caught and fight extradition. Chances are they're not going to spend the money to extradite unless they REALY want your ass.
What did you do?