Trespassing And Pennsylvania’s Purple Paint Law

Of all the criminal offenses that sound like, by themselves, they cause little or no harm, trespassing ranks highly.  What is so bad about walking on someone else’s property?  When you were in middle school, you technically trespassed every day when you walked across your neighbor’s lawn because doing so was a shortcut between your house and the school bus stop.  It’s like getting arrested for loitering, truancy, vagrancy, or any of those other selectively enforced rules.  While only some of the actions that fit the legal definition of trespassing result in criminal charges, a conviction for trespassing goes on your criminal record.  If you are old enough to remember the beginnings of the debate over decriminalizing cannabis, one of the most compelling arguments was that a conviction for something minor, like cannabis possession, can create lifelong obstacles to employment, housing, and other hallmarks of stability.  The same applies to a conviction for trespassing, and some trespassing charges are felonies.  If you are facing criminal charges for trespassing, contact a Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer.

Types of Trespassing Offenses in Pennsylvania

Trespassing charges vary in their specifics and their penalties.  These are some common trespassing charges in Pennsylvania:

• Simple trespass is when you enter property with the intent of vandalizing it or threatening the owners. It is a summary offense, punishable by up to 90 days in jail.
• Defiant trespass is when you remain on a property after being warned not to. It could be a verbal warning from someone lawfully present, but a “no trespassing” sign is also sufficient.  It is a misdemeanor.
• Criminal trespass is when you enter the property by breaking in or by deceiving someone lawfully present to let you in or give you access to it. It is a felony, and the maximum penalty possible is ten years in prison.

In the News

Pennsylvania is one of 20 states that have implemented purple paint laws.  According to Pennsylvania’s purple paint law, markings in purple paint at the boundaries of a private property carry the same meaning and the same force as “no trespassing” signs.  The paint markings can be on trees, fence posts, or other structures, and they must be no more than 100 feet apart.  Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties do not follow the statewide purple paint laws, but the other counties do.  If there is purple paint on someone’s property, your defense that you did not know that the property was private will not be effective.

Lawmakers chose a specific shade of purple because it contrasts sharply with the color schemes of most outdoor environments in Pennsylvania.  Even colorblind people can see the paint color as noticeably different from the rest of the surroundings and recognize the “no trespassing” markings for what they are.

Contact Gary E. Gerson About Criminal Defense Cases

A criminal defense lawyer can help you if you are facing criminal charges for trespassing on someone else’s property.  Contact the law offices of Gary E. Gerson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania about your case.

Source:

yahoo.com/news/see-purple-paint-stop-walking-225735940.html