Infiltration

barefootpoetry location: PA Gender: Female \| \|	Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? < on 4/12/2011 4:28 PM >

	I was wondering if there are any legal or otherwise differences in different types of No Trespassing signs. Anyone can go to the hardware store and buy a black and orange sign, but there's also the white or yellow "Posted: No Trespassing" (which you see mostly in wooded areas to keep people from hunting on them), "No Trespassing: Violators Will Be Prosecuted" and others. I generally stay out of places that have signs posted, although I've been in a few where the sign wasn't near my POE and I didn't notice it until I was done, oops! So I'm just curious if any of them are more important or could result in heavier penalties than others. She who hesitates, sees bulldozers.

bonnie&clyde location: 510 & 415 Cleverly disguised as responsible adults \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 1 on 4/12/2011 4:34 PM >

	Im a wee bit more careful when I see this one The question is not when are we gonna stop, It's who's gonna stop us?

barefootpoetry

location:
PA
Gender: Female

Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs?
<Reply # 2 on 4/12/2011 4:37 PM >

Posted by bonnie&clyde
Im a wee bit more careful when I see this one

LOL! I should've gotten a photo of a sign on a cattle gate when we were trying to find the ruins of an old resort near here. "ABSOLUTELY NO TRESPASSING. VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW." The sign was nearly as big as the whole gate. We didn't try our luck with that one.

She who hesitates, sees bulldozers.

barefootpoetry location: PA Gender: Female \| \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 3 on 4/12/2011 4:38 PM >

	And there's also signs like, "DANGER: Authorized Personnel Only. KEEP OUT." etc. What do they mean, at least for people like me? She who hesitates, sees bulldozers.

Fl1k3r Gender: Male \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 4 on 4/12/2011 4:48 PM >

	well, basic law states that (with my understanding) in Maryland at least when that sign is up, if the owner of the property hasn't given express permission for you to be on the property, you are guilty of Criminal Trespass and can be charged. the authorized personnel ones are same deal but just phrased differently "Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."

Fl1k3r Gender: Male \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 5 on 4/12/2011 4:49 PM >

	also, you should be careful cause if the owner is feeling evil and there was no proof you WEREN'T near the buildings and stuff, they can file charges for stuff like Criminal Damaging too, it's been done before, just not too often Edit: omitted word, added definition Maryland: Section 6-402(a) prohibits trespassing on land of another where a sign has been posted at the entrance of a property. Sections 6-404 and 6-405 prohibit entering property with a vehicle without permission. These sections prohibit the use of off-road vehicles on public or private property without the property owner's consent. also, the big thing is, if you take it to court, there has usually got to be INTENT, meaning, if they arrest you but you can prove the sign wasn't visible and there was no reason to suspect the property was restricted, then you oughta be good (not a way to get out of gettin arrested, but a defense) [last edit 4/12/2011 4:59 PM by Fl1k3r - edited 2 times] "Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."

barefootpoetry

location:
PA
Gender: Female

Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs?
<Reply # 6 on 4/12/2011 5:09 PM >

Posted by Fl1k3r
also, you should be careful cause if the owner is feeling evil and there was no proof you WEREN'T near the buildings and stuff, they can file charges for stuff like Criminal Damaging too, it's been done before, just not too often

Edit: omitted word, added definition

Maryland: Section 6-402(a) prohibits trespassing on land of another where a sign has been posted at the entrance of a property. Sections 6-404 and 6-405 prohibit entering property with a vehicle without permission. These sections prohibit the use of off-road vehicles on public or private property without the property owner's consent.

also, the big thing is, if you take it to court, there has usually got to be INTENT, meaning, if they arrest you but you can prove the sign wasn't visible and there was no reason to suspect the property was restricted, then you oughta be good (not a way to get out of gettin arrested, but a defense)

The first time I accidentally did this, the sign was so faded that I could barely see it. But I didn't actually enter the structure because it was too unstable. The second time, I went in on a different side of the fence, and then went out on the other side as I was leaving, and saw the sign on a gate that was wide open.

I'm not sure if the law is different here in VA. From what little I have read, trespassing (at least as a first offense) is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Wikipedia says that that can be punishable by six months in jail (EDIT: Correction, Class 1 is 12 months, Class 2 is 6 months) but I find that HIGHLY unlikely for some dumb kid with a camera unless one was up to other shifty behaviors.

I guess I am just curious if trespassing is trespassing no matter what or if you can get slapped with something more severe if the sign says something different.

[last edit 4/12/2011 5:12 PM by barefootpoetry - edited 1 times]

She who hesitates, sees bulldozers.

Fl1k3r Gender: Male \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 7 on 4/12/2011 5:21 PM >

	it depends on the officer you deal with, if you're lucky and the officer is nice they'll either let you go or hit you with a Civil trespass, which doesn't show up on records or anything, its basically a city ordinance violation and fine. criminal trespass is worse cause it shows up on your record and in court documents, i don't know whether VA has extenuating circumstances that change how or for what a person is charged, but thats about the sum of it in MD Edit: and as for Jail time, PSHHH that will almost NEVER happen for a 1st time offender, or hell, even a multiple offender unless they were caught doing something else or were considered to be likely to repeat offend [last edit 4/12/2011 5:22 PM by Fl1k3r - edited 1 times] "Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."

barefootpoetry location: PA Gender: Female \| \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 8 on 4/12/2011 5:30 PM >

	Yeah, the other things they list as Class 1 Misdemeanors rarely result in jail time either. I think that is probably just the maximum penalty and you'd only get that if you were a straight up asshole and the police and judge just hated your guts. She who hesitates, sees bulldozers.

wonderfail location: Boston Gender: Male \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 9 on 4/12/2011 5:57 PM >

	If caught, what would you say to the officer (or whoever) in hopes that you would be let off?

barefootpoetry

location:
PA
Gender: Female

Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs?
<Reply # 10 on 4/12/2011 5:59 PM >

Posted by wonderfail
If caught, what would you say to the officer (or whoever) in hopes that you would be let off?

"I'm sorry, I didn't see the sign, I just wanted to take some pictures."

I look like an eccentric airhead art student anyway, so I think it'd work. And it's the truth, regardless. Honesty is best policy.

EDIT: I try to avoid places that are posted anyway, just so I won't run into this problem. Although it's a possibility with any place.
[last edit 4/12/2011 6:00 PM by barefootpoetry - edited 1 times]

She who hesitates, sees bulldozers.

\/adder location: DunkarooLand Gender: Male I'm the worst of the best but I'm in this race. \| \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 11 on 4/12/2011 7:49 PM >

	Remove sign, come back later, "What sign?" ... but that would be unethical. I love these signs: "No risk, no reward, no fun." "Go all the way or walk away" escensi omnis...

NiiCKx3

location:
W.V.

Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs?
<Reply # 12 on 4/13/2011 3:01 AM >

Posted by wonderfail
If caught, what would you say to the officer (or whoever) in hopes that you would be let off?

Here's a situation for you:
Two explorers walk up to a house covered in Posted: No Trespassing Signs. They explore and go about their merry way. Long story short, they have a good time and leave. On the way back to the car, they notice a police cruiser circling where they parked. After a few seconds of debate, a camera is removed, and they approach the officer. They talk to him, say they saw no signs. He says, yeah I think they're on the other side of the houses blah blah blah. They act respectfully, explain they're just taking pictures and looking around, not stealing, spray painting, doing drugs, drinking alcohol, murdering prostitutes, etc. He asks what's in their bag, but doesn't check. They leave without giving their names or any information (except possibly plates, doubtful though).

Point is, be respectful, have a camera, look respectable and you'll be fine.

Less breaking, more entering -- *tells cop we're taking pictures* "OF WUUUUT?!"

bonnie&clyde

location:
510 & 415

Cleverly disguised as responsible adults

Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs?
<Reply # 13 on 4/13/2011 5:40 AM >

Posted by NiiCKx3

Here's a situation for you:
Two explorers walk up to a house covered in Posted: No Trespassing Signs. They explore and go about their merry way. Long story short, they have a good time and leave. On the way back to the car, they notice a police cruiser circling where they parked. After a few seconds of debate, a camera is removed, and they approach the officer. They talk to him, say they saw no signs. He says, yeah I think they're on the other side of the houses blah blah blah. They act respectfully, explain they're just taking pictures and looking around, not stealing, spray painting, doing drugs, drinking alcohol, murdering prostitutes, etc. He asks what's in their bag, but doesn't check. They leave without giving their names or any information (except possibly plates, doubtful though).

Point is, be respectful, have a camera, look respectable and you'll be fine.

^^THIS^^

Don't be a wuss.

Get out.

Explore.

Take pix.

Enjoy the explore

The question is not when are we gonna stop, It's who's gonna stop us?

tick

location:
Abingdon, VA
Gender: Male

Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs?
<Reply # 14 on 4/13/2011 2:22 PM >

Posted by barefootpoetry The sign was nearly as big as the whole gate. We didn't try our luck with that one.

No, you've got it wrong

Big scary signs mean the landowner lives in another state. He doesn't get out there that often, so he needs a big sign to scare people away.

The more "keep out" signs you see, the less likely you are to get caught.

barefootpoetry

location:
PA
Gender: Female

Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs?
<Reply # 15 on 4/13/2011 2:36 PM >

Posted by tick

No, you've got it wrong

I don't take chances around here. Disobey the big scary sign and you might get a bullet in your head. I'm way more scared of property owners with more guns than teeth, than I am of police.

She who hesitates, sees bulldozers.

Fl1k3r Gender: Male \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 16 on 4/13/2011 2:43 PM >

	wellll fortunately, (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it) almost no one in most areas around MD will have a gun, except in my area where everyone has an assault rifle permit -.- so i'm more worried about police than i am about accidentally wandering onto a scene from Deliverance "Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."

barefootpoetry location: PA Gender: Female \| \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 17 on 4/13/2011 3:35 PM >

	Deliverance pretty much sums up the backwoods areas here. Gotta love VA. She who hesitates, sees bulldozers.

Fl1k3r Gender: Male \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 18 on 4/13/2011 3:43 PM >

	lolll see now that the only reason why i don't live there, i've watched too many horror movies, i don't feel like meeting a sheriff who's actually a fake sheriff capturing people for his inbred family and messed up cousin, and then eating them -.- "Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves."

barefootpoetry location: PA Gender: Female \| \|	Re: Differences in types of "No Trespassing" signs? <Reply # 19 on 4/13/2011 4:17 PM >

	It's gorgeous here and definitely lots of sweet abandonments. But yeah. Inbred hicks with guns and meth labs. No offense, other UER Virginians. She who hesitates, sees bulldozers.

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