A person commits the offense of criminal trespass or criminal trespassing by entering or remaining on the property of another—including residential land, agricultural land, recreational land (such as a vehicle park), a building, an aircraft, or an automobile—without consent and if the person (1) had notice that the entry was forbidden, or (2) received notice to depart, but failed to do so.

The definitions and penalties for criminal trespassing vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s penal or criminal code (statutes).

In Connecticut, criminal trespass is defined under the Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-107 to 53a-110. A person commits criminal trespass when they enter or remain on property without the owner's permission and with the knowledge that they are not allowed to be there. This includes residential, agricultural, and recreational land, as well as buildings and vehicles. There are different degrees of criminal trespass in Connecticut, ranging from the first degree, which is the most serious and involves entering a property with the intent to commit a crime there, to the third degree, which involves entering property that is posted with 'No Trespassing' signs or is otherwise communicated as off-limits. Penalties for criminal trespass vary depending on the degree of the offense but can include fines, imprisonment, or both. It is important for individuals to respect property boundaries and to leave when asked by the owner or law enforcement to avoid criminal charges.