Criminal Defense Lawyer For Unlicensed Entry Of Structures; Defiant Trespasser; Peering Into Dwelling Places (N.J.S.A 2C:18-3) Charges
Section A of the law defines the Unlicensed Entry of Structures, where a person who is not privileged to do so enters or surreptitiously remains in a building or structure.
Specifically, the law makes it a crime of the fourth degree, with a sentence of up to 18 months if convicted, to enter or surreptitiously remain in a dwelling, the sterile area of an airport, a utility company property, a nuclear power generation site, a school or on school property, a sewage treatment center, wastewater treatment center, or a facility that handles hazardous materials, among others.
For structures not specified under the statute, you’ll face a disorderly persons charge and could go to jail for up to six months.
Section B of the statute makes it a petty disorderly persons offense, with a penalty of up to 30 days, to enter or remain in a place where you have been notified through signs, commands, or appropriate enclosures like a fence that you are not entitled to be.
It is Section C that may represent the most trouble to a person.
This section makes it a crime of the fourth degree to peer into the windows of a dwelling, and so-called Peeping Tom behavior is often construed as having sexual motivations, which can lead to problems for you now and down the road.
While N.J.S.A. 2C:18-3 generally carries a presumption of non-incarceration, a history of trespass or Peeping Tom charges can cause you big problems in the future, and should be taken very seriously.
Attorney Matthew Reisig defends people throughout New Jersey from even serious criminal charges.
Call 732-625-9661 today and talk to an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney for free.