Orland Park Trespassing Attorney

Tinley Park Trespassing Defense Lawyer for Cases Involving Vehicles or Other Property

While many property crimes will be related to the theft or destruction of property, others may be related to entering or remaining on someone else's property without authorization. Trespassing may seem to be a minor offense, but depending on the circumstances of a case, it can result in serious penalties. At Issa Law, LLC, our criminal defense lawyer can help determine the best options for defending against trespassing charges or any related offenses. We will work to ensure that our clients can address these charges correctly and minimize the potential penalties they may face.

Criminal Trespass to Vehicles

This offense may address the entry into the passenger compartment of a vehicle or any other part of the vehicle, so long as it is done without the permission of the vehicle's owner. This means that if someone enters the trunk of a car without the owner's permission, they may face the same charges as would apply if they had entered the passenger compartment of the car.

Criminal trespass to vehicles is a Class A misdemeanor, and a person may face a jail sentence of up to 364 days and fines of up to $2,500. Probation or court supervision may be possible in these cases.

Criminal Trespass to Real Property

A person may be charged with this offense if they enter or remain in a building or land owned by someone else without the owner's permission. One issue that often arises in these cases involves notice that a person believes granted them authorization to enter or remain in someone else's property. This notice can be given orally or in writing. A written notice may include documentation given specifically and directly to a certain person, but it may also include notices permanently affixed to any building or land, as long as these notices are observable by any member of the public.

The law also allows a person who is accused of trespassing to be held civilly liable for damages, along with attorney's fees and court costs, that may occur when a person enters land with a motor vehicle. The damages may include the actual damage to the property, or a person may be required to pay twice the actual damages to the property if the owner had previously notified the person to stop trespassing. This law generally applies in cases where people are accused of destroying crops while riding a motor vehicle on a farm.

Trespassing in land or buildings owned by someone else is a Class B misdemeanor, and a conviction may lead to a sentence of up to 180 days in jail and fines of up to $1,500. Trespassing on agricultural land or buildings is a Class A misdemeanor. Probation and/or court supervision may be available in these cases.

Criminal Trespass to a Place of Public Amusement

While it may seem like a fun idea to run onto the field during a Chicago Bears game or sneak backstage at Lollapalooza, the consequences of doing so can be quite serious. The offense of criminal trespass to a place of public amusement may apply if a person enters a playing field, athletic surface, stage, locker room, or dressing room at a place of a public amusement without permission.

This offense is classified as a Class 4 felony, and a person could face a prison sentence of one to three years and be required to pay fines of up to $25,000. The minimum fine in these cases is $1,000, and a person who is convicted will also be required to complete up to 120 hours of community services. Probation may be possible, but court supervision will not be available.

Criminal Trespass to State Supported Land

This offense involves trespassing on land or in buildings that are, wholly or partially, supported with state funds, as well as land or buildings supported by federal funds that are administered through state agencies. In addition to government buildings such as courthouses or offices of the Secretary of State, these charges may apply in cases involving trespassing on property associated with public transportation, including Pace and CTA buses and trains or Metra trains and their rails. If a person allegedly intended to risk public safety by causing a delay lasting more than 15 minutes, they may face charges, but if they did not intend to cause such a delay, they may be found not guilty of the offense.

Criminal trespass to state supported land is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second of subsequent offense. Probation may be possible in these cases, but court supervision will only be available for misdemeanor charges.

Contact Our Will County Criminal Trespassing Lawyer

If you are facing trespassing charges, our firm can help you determine your options for defense. Contact us at 708-966-2408 for a consultation.