Expert: Robin Sexton - 6/3/2008

Question
I just got detained for Trespassing, Well it was kinda my fault. I cut the chain on 2 fences entering the same trail and I was caught red handed unlocking my locks I put in. On the ticket that the police officer gave my parents only says 555 pc for the charge. What kind of punishment am i looking at? Im 17 and im living in california. Im also leaving for college soon after my court date. Oh and the land was a protected watershed. All my friends and I were looking for was a place to go 4x4ing and take our dirt bikes.

Answer
Jeff,  
    Yeah I got to agree with you, it was kind of your fault. Trespassing is usually a fairly minor charge.  Since you only received a citation it is probably just a fine.  Call the court indicated on the citation and ask them what the fine and repercussions are if you plead guilty.  Once you know the damages you can decide if you want to enter a guilty plea or take it to trial.  I have attached the section 555 of the California Penal Code.

http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/555.html

Good Luck

Robin