While this may come as a surprise, criminal trespassing is taken quite seriously in Texas, with even the most innocent of cases resulting in hefty fines. Luckily, The Lone Star State is known for complexities in its criminal trespassing laws, which can aid in the likelihood of a criminal trespass lawyer in Williamson County Texas obtaining favorable outcomes in local trespassing cases in Georgetown or Round Rock. Here’s a list of Texas’ trespassing laws, and for those recently charged with trespassing, some ways in which a local lawyer can help with your case, and a few highly rated criminal trespass lawyers in Williamson County that can build a defense for you.
Texas Trespassing Laws:
The Texas Penal Code defines criminal trespassing as the act of knowingly entering a property without the owner’s consent. With penalties for criminal trespassing being rather harsh when compared to other states, Texas lays a heavy burden of proof on the prosecution and requires evidence that shows a client was fully aware that they were entering private property. In other words, a trespassing notice of some form must be given such as an oral warning, a no trespassing sign, or a fence or wall that clearly delineates a property boundary. This stipulation in law lends to the importance of hiring a criminal trespass lawyer in Williamson County Texas to argue for a lack of notice (if applicable to one’s case) and get charges dismissed.
In cases where a trespassing notice was given and defendants were proven to knowingly enter private property, the penalties are as follows:
Class B Misdemeanor: Most criminal trespassing- even nonviolent- that occurs on private property is classified as a Class B misdemeanor and carries a high potential for jail time. The punishment for a Class B misdemeanor is up to 180 days in county jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
Class C Misdemeanor: Trespassing within 100 feet of agricultural land or private freshwater is classified as a Class C misdemeanor resulting in a fine of up to $500.
Class A Misdemeanor: Trespassing with a deadly weapon or trespassing within a Superfund site, habitation or shelter center, or critical infrastructure facility constitutes heightened criminal charges, with a Class A misdemeanor resulting in up to a year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000.
The Importance of Hiring a Local Criminal Trespass Lawyer:
While the penalties for criminal trespassing in Texas are quite severe, many judges understand they may be too harsh under certain discretionary circumstances. A local Williamson County Texas criminal trespass lawyer who is highly familiar with the local courts and well acquainted with the judges and prosecutors can work with the courts to reduce trespassing charges so that a defendant will not have to face jail time or may get off altogether. This is more likely to occur in nonviolent and nonthreatening trespassing cases such as cutting through a backyard on a walk home.
Certain professions have trespassing protections, with charges often being dismissed if these individuals can prove they were on duty at the time of trespassing. Some of these professions include:
- Employees of a gas or electric municipal utility services
- Firefighters
- Emergency medical technicians
- Telecommunications, cable, or video service providers
All in all, if you’ve been charged with nonviolent criminal trespassing, working with a skilled criminal trespassing lawyer can likely aid in reducing your charges.
Highly Rated Criminal Trespass Lawyers in Williamson County Texas:
Round Rock, Georgetown, and Williamson County in general are home to some incredibly skilled criminal trespass lawyers. Here are five highly-rated lawyers that will provide a free consultation to discuss the details of your criminal trespassing case:
Rick Cofer of Cofer and Connelly, PLLC- Call (512) 991- 0576 for a free consultation today!
Jason Trumpler of The Law Offices of Jason Trumpler- Call (512) 580- 7048 for a free consultation today!
Clovis Martin of The Law Offices of Clovis Martin- Call (512) 887- 0115 for a free consultation today!
Eric Torberson of Eric Torberson Attorney at Law- Call (888) 234- 5550 to schedule a free consultation today!
Ryan Deck of The Law Offices of Ryan H. Deck- Call (512) 337- 6285 for a consultation today!
