Published Decisions

William C. Talman, P.C.

A Professional Corporation
Attorneys at Law
706 Walnut Street, Suite 602
P.O. Box 506
Knoxville, Tennessee  37901-0506

Telephone:  865-633-9060
Toll Free:   800-759-1020
Courtroom

     
 
     



39-14-406  -  Aggravated Criminal Trespass



(a) A person commits aggravated criminal trespass who enters or remains on property when:

(1) The person knows the person does not have the property owner's effective consent to do so; and

(2) The person intends, knows, or is reckless about whether such person's presence will cause fear for the safety of another; or

(3) The person, in order to gain entry to the property, destroys, cuts, vandalizes, alters or removes a gate, signage, fencing, lock, chain or other barrier designed to keep trespassers from entering the property.


(b) For purposes of this section, "enter" means intrusion of the entire body.


(c) Aggravated criminal trespass is a Class B misdemeanor unless it was committed in a habitation, in a building of any hospital, or on the campus, property, or facilities of any private or public school, in which event it is a Class A misdemeanor.


(d) (1) A person also commits aggravated criminal trespass who enters or remains on the real property, including the right-of-way, of a railroad:

(A) With the intent to do harm to the property or to railroad property located on the property; or

(B) With the intent to do harm to another person or knowing that their presence will harm another person.

(2) Aggravated criminal trespass on railroad property is a Class A misdemeanor.


(e) (1) A person also commits aggravated criminal trespass who trespasses upon a construction site, or property used or owned by a public or private utility or an electric or telephone cooperative, with the intent to steal, deface, destroy, tamper with, alter or remove any equipment, supplies or other property found on the site or property.

(2) (A) In order for subdivision (e)(1) to apply, the construction, utility, or electric or telephone cooperative property must be posted by use of a sign of a size that is plainly visible to the average person at all gates or entrances to the property and shall contain language substantially similar to the following:

UNLAWFUL ENTRY ON THIS PROPERTY CONSTITUTES THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL TRESPASS AND IS PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT FOR UP TO ONE YEAR AND A $2,500 FINE.

(B) If the proof shows that the defendant entered the posted property at some place other than a gate or entrance, it is not a defense to this subsection (e) that the defendant did not know that the property was posted against trespass.

(3) Aggravated criminal trespass on a construction site is a Class A misdemeanor.



Range of Punishment for Felonies & Misdemeanors, T.C.A. § 40-35-111





Disclaimer

While we have made every effort to ensure the information presented on our website is accurate and up to date, it is provided as a courtesy and for informational purposes only.  Laws are frequently modified by the Legislature and/or court precedent, therefore you should refer to the current edition of the Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) for more information.  If any information contained herein is in disagreement with any statute contained in the T.C.A., then any such information should be disregarded as the T.C.A. is controlling and should be followed.

The information provided herein is not all inclusive and does not cover every situation as each situation or case is different and unique.  No information obtained on our site may be construed to constitute the giving of any legal advice or the formation of any attorney-client relationship.   Persons are encouraged and admonished to seek legal assistance and advice from a licensed attorney of their choosing or from the public defender if indigent.






Contact us by E-Mail


© Copyright 2001-2012 - William C. Talman, P.C.
(No copyright claimed as to TCA references or information)