A person commits the offense of criminal trespass or criminal trespassing by entering or remaining on the property of another—including residential land, agricultural land, recreational land (such as a vehicle park), a building, an aircraft, or an automobile—without consent and if the person (1) had notice that the entry was forbidden, or (2) received notice to depart, but failed to do so.
The definitions and penalties for criminal trespassing vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s penal or criminal code (statutes).
In Vermont, criminal trespass occurs when a person enters or remains on someone else's property without permission and with notice that entry is forbidden or after being told to leave. This includes various types of property such as residential, agricultural, recreational, as well as buildings and vehicles. Notice can be given in different forms, such as verbal communication, posted signs, or fencing. Vermont's statutes outline the specifics of what constitutes criminal trespass and the associated penalties, which can range from fines to imprisonment depending on the severity of the offense and whether it is a repeat violation. The relevant laws are typically found in the Vermont Statutes Annotated, particularly within the criminal offenses section.