Criminal Trespass in the State of Texas
Criminal Trespass Attorney in Austin, TX
CONTACT US TODAY AT 512-457-5200!
The Law Offices of Jason Trumpler
902 E 5th Street, Suite 108
Austin, TX 78702
Criminal Trespass in the State of Texas is a property crime that could result in fines, jail time, and a conviction on your criminal record. The Texas Penal Code defines criminal trespass as being on or in someone's property that has been marked private. The notice that the property is private can be communicated to you in several ways:
- Oral or written communication: This is the most common form of notice, i.e. a person who has authority over the property telling you to leave.
- A fence meant to exclude intruders: This may include residential or property fences meant to contain livestock.
- Purple marks on trees: Purple marks on trees indicate that the land within its perimeters is private. Marks may be no more 100 ft apart on trees in forest land, and no more than 1000 ft apart in non-forest land areas.
- Visible presence of crops for human consumption: If you can see that crops are growing on the land that are meant to be consumed by humans, this is designated private property.
If the State has accused you or someone you know of the crime of criminal trespass, the Law Offices of Jason Trumpler will fight to ensure that you get your side told in court. Strong legal representation can help the chances of your case getting reduced and ultimately dismissed. Contact our office today at 512-457-5200.
Potential Consequences
As with all crimes, the severity of the penalty depends on the nature of your specific offense. Criminal trespass is always a misdemeanor offense. Possible punishment includes:
- Class C Misdemeanor: If you were within 100-feet of private land, the State would charge you with a Class C Misdemeanor. The maximum penalty is a fine of up to $500.
- Class B Misdemeanor: This is the most common penalty associated with criminal trespassing in Texas. The punishment for a Class B Misdemeanor is six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
- Class A Misdemeanor: The State will charge you with a Class A Misdemeanor if you are trespassing in someone's home or if you are carrying a deadly weapon while trespassing. The penalty associated with a Class A Misdemeanor is one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
Specific provisions in the Texas penal code exclude individuals like firefighters, EMS, utility providers, and telecommunication providers from certain criminal trespassing charges since they must regularly enter private residences and areas to perform their jobs.
Contact Us at 512-457-5200!
If the State has accused you or someone you know with the crime of criminal trespass in the State of Texas, our office can help. Jason Trumpler has 20-years of experience practicing criminal law. He currently assists clients in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Caldwell, Bastrop, Lee, Burnet, and Bell counties. Call our office today at 512-452-5200.
For your convenience, we also have an office in Round Rock, Texas, located at:
1000 Heritage Center Cir, Round Rock, TX 78664
