No trespassing signs can be useful to property owners—especially on large tracts of land or land that is not developed—to put persons entering the property on notice that the property is private property and if they do not have permission to enter, they may be committing civil and criminal offenses related to trespassing. In some states notice is required for a trespasser to have civil or criminal liability for entering the property without permission.

No trespassing signs may also protect a landowner against liability to a trespasser, as a lower duty of care is owed to trespassers in some states, and putting a person entering the property on notice that they are trespassing may strengthen the property owner’s defense against any liability claims if the trespasser is injured on the property.

In Mississippi, property owners can use 'No Trespassing' signs to deter unauthorized entry and reduce liability. Under Mississippi law, 'No Trespassing' signs serve as a clear notice that entry onto the property without permission is not allowed. This can help establish that a person entering the property is doing so without consent, which is necessary for criminal trespass charges. Mississippi Code Section 97-17-97 outlines the offense of trespassing after notice, which includes entering land after being forbidden to do so by the owner or occupant. The presence of 'No Trespassing' signs can be considered sufficient notice. Regarding liability, Mississippi follows the traditional common law approach where landowners owe a lower duty of care to trespassers compared to invitees or licensees. If a trespasser is injured on the property, the 'No Trespassing' signs may help demonstrate that the property owner took reasonable steps to warn against entry, potentially strengthening the owner's defense against liability claims.