A person commits criminal trespass when he/she:
- Enters any structure, watercraft, or movable owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization; or,
- Enters upon immovable property owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization; or,
- Remains in or upon property, movable or immovable, owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization.
There are legal defenses to criminal trespass.
PENALTIES FOR CRIMINAL TRESPASS CONVICTION
A conviction for criminal trespass is punishable based on the number of offenses committed by the person.
For the first offense, the fine may be between $100.00 and $ 500.00, or imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both.
For the second offense, the fine may be between $300.00 and $750.00, or imprisonment for not more than ninety days, or both.
For the third offense and all subsequent offenses, the fine may be between $500.00 and $1,000.00, or imprisonment for not less than sixty days and not more than six months, or both, and forfeiture to the law enforcement authority of any property seized in connection with the violation.
A person may be convicted of a second offense and any subsequent offenses regardless of whether any prior conviction involved the same structure, watercraft, movable or immovable property and regardless of the time sequence of the occurrence of the offenses.
In addition to the sentencing, and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a person who has killed or otherwise misappropriated any wildlife, in the course of commission of the offense shall forfeit the misappropriated wildlife to the law enforcement authority and may be ordered to pay the value of the misappropriated wildlife into the Conservation Fund of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The value of the wildlife that was misappropriated may be determined by the guidelines adopted by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
WE WILL DEFEND YOU AGAINST CRIMINAL TRESPASS
If you've been accused of criminal trespass, don't fight the criminal justice system alone - contact Attorney Ebonee Norris of The Norris Law Group for help. She will work tirelessly to get the best possible outcome for you.
We know that no two cases are the same. We will thoroughly review the details of your case to ensure that you receive the best possible legal defense and that your rights are protected. Call us today at 318-771-7000 or reach out to us online. We're ready to put our experience to work for you.