Your Urban Exploration Could Result In These Misdemeanor Charges
Urban exploring is a fun activity that you can share with the masses as long as you have a video camera and a YouTube channel. Lots of urban explorers have gained millions of views online for their daring exploits, but some have also found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Urban exploring often involves going where you aren't supposed to be — after all, there's little intrigue to filming videos in areas that most people have walked. If you're interested in urban exploration, you should endeavor to do so in a way that wouldn't get you into legal trouble. Here are some misdemeanor charges that you could potentially face as a result of this pastime.
Trespassing
Arguably, trespassing is the misdemeanor charge that you'd be most likely to get as a result of your urban exploring hobby. For example, sneaking through an abandoned building might be a thrill, but you should never lose sight of the fact that you're on someone else's private property — and the property owner almost certainly doesn't want you to be there.
Property owners will often hire security officers and use motion-activated surveillance systems to identify urban explorers, especially if this issue has been ongoing. You might not see anyone, but that doesn't mean that someone isn't watching you — and getting evidence that can lead to a trespassing arrest.
Vandalism
Vandalism is another misdemeanor charge that you could face as someone who enjoys urban exploring. To gain entry to certain areas, it may be necessary to break into them. Many urban explorers don't subscribe to this theory, but there are those who won't hesitate to push away a board attached over a window opening or perhaps even break a window in order to get inside a unique location. Unfortunately for you, such acts are vandalism, and if the property owner can obtain proof of you breaking the law, he or she may pursue vandalism charges against you.
Mischief
The police may also think about charging you with mischief upon arresting you because of an urban exploring incident. This charge can encompass a wide range of offenses of different degrees of severity and is tailor-made for someone arrested for urban exploring. When you're sneaking around in an area in which you know you're not supposed to be and are perhaps dressed in camouflage and moving furtively to avoid detection, the authorities will have an easy time suggesting that you're acting mischievously. If you've been arrested and charged with any crime as a result of your urban exploring, be sure to promptly hire an attorney who specializes in misdemeanor offenses.
For more information, contact a company like FUNDERBURK AND LANE.