In Missouri, an individual can be charged with trespass in the first degree or trespass in the second degree. A person commits the crime of trespass in the first degree if he knowingly enters unlawfully or knowingly remains unlawfully in a building or inhabitable structure or upon real property. A person commits the offense of trespass in the second degree if he enters unlawfully upon real property of another.
While trespassing charges may not seem significant, they are criminal offenses and should be taken seriously. These charges can carry heavy fines, leave a bad mark on your permanent record, and in some cases (depending on the severity of the charges) lead to jail time. Even if the trespassing was accidental or unintentional there are a lot of negative consequences involved.
Charges of trespass can be challenged. If you have been charged or arrested for trespassing, you need a knowledgeable and skilled criminal defense attorney to help guide you through the process. At Henderson Law Group, our main goal is to keep our clients out of jail and help them to avoid criminal convictions, while minimizing the consequences of a trespass charge. Our criminal defense attorneys work to make sure that your constitutional rights are upheld throughout all stages of the process.