Harris County Criminal Trespass Lawyers
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.
Harris County Criminal Trespass Defense Attorney
The defense attorneys at James G.
Sullivan & Associates are passionate about defending cases like
yours and each have 30 years or more of criminal defense experience. If
you have been charged with Criminal Trespass in the Greater Houston
area, contact our office today at 281-546-6428 for a free confidential consultation and case evaluation.
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.
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 the counties of Harris County and Fort Bend 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. For
30 years, 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
Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College, the most selective and prestigious
trial advocacy program in America. Sullivan has a proven record of
defending people from all walks of life, faiths and countries in courts
throughout Texas.
Contact James Sullivan at 281-546-6428 for a free confidential consultation.
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HOUSTON, TEXAS & HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYERS
Serving Houston, Cypress, Sugar Land, Clear Lake, Pasadena, La Porte, Missouri City, Friendswood, Richmond, Hempstead, Humble, Tomball, Bellaire, Deer Park, Katy and other communities in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.
Our Houston criminal lawyers defend clients charged with crimes in district courts and county criminal courts, including domestic violence (assault of a family member), drug possession or drug delivery, violent crimes, and juvenile delinquency.