Arrested for Criminal Trespassing

Vancouver, WA Viewed 25 times. Posted about 1 month ago in Criminal Defense

I was asked if I would like help someone get the remaining things from his friend's rental and I agreed I would clean it up in exchange for a piano they said I could have. The landlord shows up 20 minutes into this and calls the cops. my friend left, while I stayed there because I didn't do anything wrong. There was no evict notice given, or posted. The landlord informed me they had just skipped out on him not paying rent. However, I had no knowledge of this. Still, doesnt the landlord have to do his legal work. Permission was given to me by the people who were renting from him. Until he files legal papers are they still not tenants ? Should have I been arrested ? This is crazy. - Is this your question? Add additional information

Answers (1)

Shawn B Alexander

This attorney is licensed in Washington. Posted about 1 month ago.

Criminal trespass as opposed to trespass without criminal intent is the first question. The second issue was did the landlord have the right to exclude your friend and by proxy you, finally did the landlord have a right to stop the tenant from recovering his possessions? If the was a formal eviction, or an abondonment of the premisis you will have some issues of why you were there. However criminal intent seems to be lacking unless it was the landlord's piano.
Get a lawyer and have the lawyer discuss the case with the prosecutor as soon as possible. Get your witnesses and evidence assembed before too long.
Good Luck