Trespassing is a serious property crime that alleges that you have entered another person’s property without their permission. Many times, trespassing goes hand-in-hand with burglary, which entails a person entering someone else’s property and stealing or attempting to steal property from them.
Trespassing crimes can be charged by mistake. Perhaps you wandered off in the wrong direction or you may have been chasing after your pet. If you are accused of criminal trespass, you need the assistance of a Misdemeanor lawyer Minneapolis area residents have turned to when they have been accused of trespassing. That way you can possibly have the charges reduced or dismissed before trial or acquitted after trial.
Misdemeanor Attorney Minneapolis, MN
Trespassing charges can be brought against you if any of the following exist:
- You allowed a dog or another domestic animal that you own or control to go onto the property of another person within city limits. For instance, you let your dog do his or her business in the neighbor’s yard.
- You trespass on a person’s property and refuse to leave
- You enter a construction site with posted no trespassing signs without permission
- You return to another person’s property after being told to leave
- You enter a locked building or dwelling without consent
- You enter a cemetery when it is closed
- You enter a mining site without permission
- Interference with a monument used to designate property lines
These are all misdemeanor offenses, but it can be upgraded to a gross misdemeanor if certain facts exist. For instance, you may refuse to leave a place that provides emergency shelter for abused women and their children.
Fighting Criminal Trespass Penalties
Sometimes criminal trespass is up to the perception of the person making the accusation. If convicted of criminal trespass, you could be looking at 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If the charge is upgraded to a gross misdemeanor, the penalty is one year in prison and a fine of up to $3,000. If you have been charged with this crime, it is important to have an experienced Minneapolis misdemeanor attorney working with you every step of the way so you can secure the best possible result and move on with your life.
Under Minnesota law, criminal trespass is a misdemeanor offense. Just because it is a misdemeanor does not mean that the consequences will not be harsh. In fact, a misdemeanor offense can follow you on your criminal record and cause you difficulty when renting a home, keeping your job, finding a new job, or doing anything that requires a background check. To learn more, call the Law Office of Mark Herman 24/7 at 612-382-4545 for a free consultation.
