What is the basic legal definition of trespassing?
Trespassing occurs when a person enters onto real estate against the
wishes of the owner.
Does the property need to be fenced or otherwise barricaded
to enforce trespassing laws?
- To be charged with trespassing, the trespasser must somehow be made
aware that they are entering private property
- and that the owner doesn’t want them there.
Without the expense of putting up a fence, what are some other
ways people can mark their property as private?
- Post a "private property: no trespassing sign"
- There is a Missouri statute that allows owners to mark off their
boundaries by making marks with purple paint on a tree or post.
- The marks must be at least eight inches long, between three and five
feet off the ground, readily visible to those approaching the property,
and no more than 100 feet apart from each other.
Does a building have to be marked as private property in order
to prevent trespassing?
No. Anytime someone enters a private building - one not open to
the public - they are guilty of trespassing if they don’t
have the permission of the owner.
One of the reasons people buy their own property is to feel safe
and secure. You have the right to decide who can and
can’t come into your home or onto your land.
