Trespassing in Gig Harbor

A trespassing conviction in Washington State means incurring a criminal record and being subject to penalties that could dramatically affect your life in numerous ways. What is trespassing, according to the law? If a person enters or remains on someone else's Gig Harbor premises without permission, they can be charged with trespassing. There are two degrees of trespassing severity, and the crime is often committed inside of buildings, on empty lots, at construction sites, and even in Gig Harbor resident's homes.

Trespassing charges sometimes result from a simple misunderstanding, and when this happens it may be possible to have the charges dismissed. Still, trespassing charges should never be underestimated because the penalties associated with a conviction will be swift and severe. Sometimes the accused was unaware they were on private property, which could be considered a misunderstanding. However, evidence that supports this argument must be presented to the court. This is why it's important to review every detail of your arrest with your Gig Harbor trespassing attorney.

Gig Harbor police often place an emphasis on criminal trespassing, especially in places where the homeless and teenagers may frequent. This often includes parking lots adjacent to businesses.

Criminal trespassing charges in Washington State can be either a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor. A gross misdemeanor is the more serious charge, and it is reserved for offenders caught inside of a structure. A conviction for this crime may result in penalties that include a year in jail and $5,000 in fines. If a trespasser is caught outside of a structure, yet still on the property in question, the charge may be a misdemeanor. A conviction means acquiring a criminal record, which should be avoided at all costs.

At the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe in Washington, we will work hard to minimize the damage a Gig Harbor trespassing charge can incur. Our Gig Harbor trespassing attorneys agree that it's vital to seek professional legal assistance before speaking with any law enforcement officials. Remember that anything you say can be used by the prosecution, and you don't want to say something that may be misinterpreted as incriminating. Your attorney will also seek to minimize the penalties associated with your criminal trespassing charge, but much will depend on whether you have prior convictions and the police reports.

When developing your defense you need a foundation based on the law. Simply believing the charges against you are false is not enough, because you still need to have your version of the events accepted by the court. Our Gig Harbor attorneys have developed defenses for hundreds of clients facing criminal charges, including trespassing. While building your defense, we will seek to answer these questions:

• Was the building where the alleged trespassing took place abandoned at the time of the arrest?
• Was the property in question open to the public, and was your presence lawful?
• Did the owner give you personal permission to be physically on the property?
• Were you on the property to serve legal documents?

Contact our law office for a free case evaluation, so that you can get answers to your most pressing questions without obligation or risk. Our Gig Harbor attorneys will earn your trust through hard work and dedication, in an effort to obtain the best end result possible. This requires work, but it's this kind of determination that helped us earn our reputation.