After allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment with a deadly weapon, an East St. Louis man faces charges for criminal trespassing and several other offenses, according to the Belleville News-Democrat.
Approximately two days after Thanksgiving, the East St. Louis man climbed through the bedroom window of his ex-girlfriend’s apartment in St. Clair County. When the ex-girlfriend called the police, the man became more aggressive and even threatened a child with a knife.
When police officers arrived at the scene, they observed the East St. Louis man running away from his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. After searching the nearby area, police officers found the man hiding in another apartment building. The officers arrested the man and charged him with criminal trespassing and three other criminal offenses.
While the East Saint Louis man waits for his day in court, it seems like an appropriate time to review Illinois laws and penalties for criminal trespass to real property and vehicles.
Criminal Trespass to Real Property
Under 720 ILCS 5/21-3, it is unlawful to knowingly trespass onto another person’s property. In specific terms, Illinois law prohibits any person from:
- Knowingly entering or remaining in a building without the authority to do so;
- Entering another person’s land after receiving a notice to leave the property;
- Employing false documents or misrepresentations to obtain permission to enter another person’s property;
- Knowingly removing a legal notice from a residential property before the notice expires; or
- Driving a vehicle onto an agricultural field after receiving notice to leave the property.
The penalties for criminal trespass to real property also appear in 720 ILCS 5/21-3. In general, any person who commits this offense is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. The usual punishment for a Class B misdemeanor in Illinois includes confinement for up to six months, $1,500 in criminal fines and two years of probation.
Criminal Trespass to Vehicles
Under 720 ILCS 5/21-2, it is unlawful to knowingly enter or operate another person’s vehicle in the absence of valid authority. This section also prohibits any person from knowingly entering or operating another person’s aircraft, watercraft, or snowmobile without legal justification.
The penalties for criminal trespass to real property also appear in 720 ILCS 5/21-2. In general, any person who commits this offense is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. The usual punishment for a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois includes confinement for up to 364 days, $2,500 in criminal fines and two years of probation.
Do You Need Legal Help?
No matter what the criminal offense, all charges are serious. A sound strategy and an aggressive defense are essential for a positive outcome. To protect your rights in such situations, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Prior Law Firm in Bloomington, Illinois, has proven experience in matters of criminal defense. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free consultation. You can reach The Prior Law Firm by calling (309) 827-4300, emailing johnprior@thepriorlawfirm.com or completing an online form.
(image courtesy of Alistair Macrobert)