What would you be charged with if you get caught in a vacant house just being nosey?
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What would you be charged with if you get caught in a vacant house just being nosey?
Asked on December 15, 2011 under Criminal Law, Texas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Even vacant houses are owned by someone--for example, an absentee landlord, a family member of an owner who died, a bank or a city which foreclosed for unpaid mortgage or taxes, an investor who bought the property at a foreclosure option, etc. Therefore, you would be unlawfully entering another's property. You could clearly be charged with trespassing; if you do any damage in entering, you could be charged with vandalism, criminal mischief, breaking and entering, etc.
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