Harris County Criminal Trespass Lawyer
Criminal Trespass is a property crime that is frequently committed in Texas. The potential consequences to offenders can be much greater than what they realize as most people wrongly assume that the crime is not that serious. In fact, if convicted of Criminal Trespass to a Habitation, an individual can face up to one year in jail and be ordered to pay up to $4,000 in fines. These penalties, along with having a criminal record, can be devastating and it is important to hire an experienced Houston property crimes lawyer to defend you against these allegations.
To have a realistic chance of getting your criminal charges dismissed, being found not guilty at trial or even avoiding a conviction through pretrial diversion or deferred adjudication, it is important to hire an experienced Houston property crimes lawyer to fight for you against these allegations.
Houston Criminal Trespass Defense Attorney for 25 years
The defense attorneys at James G. Sullivan & Associates are passionate about defending cases like yours and each have over 29 years of criminal defense trial experience. If you have been charged with Criminal Trespass in the Greater Houston area, contact our office today at 281-546-6428 to schedule a free confidential consultation.
Criminal Trespass in Houston
According to Texas Penal Code § 30.05, an individual commits criminal trespass if the person enters or remains on another person’s property without the consent of the owner, and had notice or did not leave after being given notice that the entry was forbidden.
Criminal trespass commonly occurs on residential and agricultural land, and in recreational vehicles, buildings, aircrafts, vehicles or habitations.
Under Texas law, “notice” means any oral or written communication by the owner of the property or someone with apparent authority to act for the owner. Proper notice can include but is not limited to fencing or other enclosure that is clearly designed to keep people out or livestock within, a sign posted on the property or at the entrance to a building that can be reasonably seen by intruders, and the presence of agriculture that is being cultivated or harvested.
In Texas, criminal trespassing is usually a Class B misdemeanor, however the charges can either be upgraded or reduced under certain circumstances. If the trespass occurred on agricultural land within 100 feet of its boundary or on residential land within 100 feet of a protected freshwater area, it can be reduced to a Class C misdemeanor.
Criminal trespass can be upgraded to a Class A misdemeanor if it is committed in a habitation, shelter center, critical infrastructure facility, or if the defendant was in possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of the trespass.
Misdemeanor Penalties for Criminal Trespass in Harris County
- Class C misdemeanors are punishable by a fine of up to $500.
- Class B misdemeanors are punishable by up to 180 days in jail, and/or a fine up to $2,000.
- Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail, and/or a fine up to $4,000.
Take your Criminal Trespass Charge Seriously
Individuals often taken criminal trespass charges lightly, however that is a mistake because the possible penalties are very serious. If you are charged with criminal trespass in Harris county, Montgomery county, Fort Bend county, Waller county, or Brazoria county, protect your rights by retaining the experienced Houston criminal defense lawyers at James G. Sullivan & Associates.
James Sullivan is an experienced Houston criminal defense attorney. Since 1994, Sullivan has successfully fought the government in jury trials on behalf of clients in criminal and juvenile courts. Sullivan has also been able to get hundreds of serious criminal and juvenile cases dismissed or reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
James Sullivan graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a degree in Journalism, the ideal degree for investigating, discovering and telling winning stories in court. In 1993, Sullivan graduated from South Texas College of Law, which is nationally recognized as the top law school for trial advocacy.
James Sullivan later graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. Founded in 1994, it is the most selective and prestigious trial advocacy program in America. The methods taught at TLC are not taught anywhere else. The 2,000 graduates form an extremely unique community of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the United States. Sullivan has a proven record of defending people from all walks of life, faiths and countries in courts throughout Texas.
If you are charged with criminal trespass or criminal mischief, contact James Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free confidential consultation.
