Suspect Arrested for String of Marietta Church Burglaries

Marietta Square

Marietta, Ga. – A man has been arrested in Cobb County after being accused of stealing copper at three separate churches.

Three different churches were hit in succession. Each church was broken into, copper wiring was stolen, and different property damage was caused at each location. In total, he has been accused of causing over $30,000 worth of damage. He is facing four counts of theft by taking, two counts of first-degree burglary, and one count of criminal trespass.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will go through the law behind the crime of criminal trespass in today's post.

Criminal Trespass in Georgia

Georgia law defines the offense of criminal trespass in Georgia in O.C.G.A. §16-7-21. According to the law, there are several different ways that the criminal offense of criminal trespass can be committed. These ways include:

• When a person intentionally damages any property of another without consent of that other person and the damage thereto is $500.00 or less.
• When a person knowingly and maliciously interferes with the possession or use of the property of another person without consent of that person.
• When a person enters on the land or premises or into any part of any vehicle, railroad car, aircraft, or watercraft of another person for an unlawful purpose.
• When a person enters onto the land or premises of another person or into any part of any vehicle, railroad car, aircraft, or watercraft of another person after receiving notice from the owner that such entry is forbidden.
• When a person remains on the land or premises of another person or within the vehicle, railroad car, aircraft, or watercraft of another person after the owner has asked the person to leave.
• When a person intentionally defaces, mutilates, or defiles any grave marker, monument, or memorial to one or more deceased persons who served in the military.

Criminal trespass is classified as a misdemeanor. In Georgia, misdemeanors carried the sentence of either a fine up to $1,000.00, up to one year in prison, or both.

Practice Note

Criminal trespass is just one of the offenses the man in the story above has been accused of committing. He is also facing serious consequences for the charges of burglary in Georgia and theft by taking in Georgia.

If you or a loved one has been accused of committing any of the crimes mentioned in the post today or any other criminal offenses within the state of Georgia, call our offices now. A Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney can determine which Georgia Criminal Defenses apply to your case and how best to move forward.