§ 11-44-26 - Willful trespass – Remaining on land after warning – Exemption for tenants holding over.
SECTION 11-44-26
§ 11-44-26 Willful trespass –Remaining on land after warning – Exemption for tenants holding over.– (a) Every person who willfully trespasses or, having no legitimate purpose forhis or her presence, remains upon the land of another or upon the premises orcurtilage of the domicile of any person legally entitled to the possession ofthat domicile, after having been forbidden to do so by the owner of the land orthe owner's duly authorized agent or a person legally entitled to thepossession of the premises, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding onethousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year,or both.
(b) This section shall not apply to tenants or occupants ofresidential premises who, having rightfully entered the premises at thecommencement of the tenancy or occupancy, remain after that tenancy oroccupancy has been or is alleged to have been terminated. The owner or landlordof the premises may recover possession only through appropriate civilproceedings.
(c) Where the provisions of The Domestic Violence PreventionAct, chapter 29 of title 12, are applicable, the penalties for violation ofthis section shall also include the penalties as provided in § 12-29-5.