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 Tennessee, criminal trespass is defined under Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 39-14-405. A person commits criminal trespass if they, knowingly without authority, enter onto the property of another after being told not to enter (notice that entry was forbidden), or remain on the property after being told to leave (received notice to depart). This includes residential, agricultural, and recreational land, as well as buildings and vehicles. The offense is typically classified as a Class C misdemeanor, which can result in penalties including fines, community service, and/or up to 30 days of jail time. However, the severity of the punishment can vary based on the circumstances of the trespass and the defendant's criminal history. It is important for individuals to respect property boundaries and heed any notices prohibiting entry or directing them to leave to avoid criminal trespass charges.