No Trespassing...

[HiTechTed]

I know this doesn't have anything to do with my tractor so if it needs to be moved elsewhere that's fine. I just wanted to ask you guys about No Trespassing signs.

First, do they hold any legal weight? I have read about some of you having problems with people trespassing on your land. So what kind of recourse do you have? Does the sign do anything at all for you, legally? I figured if the store here sells them, they have to have some kind of validity but maybe they don't. I don't know.

Let's say somebody comes onto my land without my permission and they get injured. Does having no trespassing signs clearly posted help me in any way, or am I liable for their injury no matter what? I suppose these matters are handled differently depending on your local laws.

What really bothers me is, I don't do this to other people because it's just wrong. I don't have the gall to just drive up and walk around on property that isn't mine or isn't open to the public, unless I have permission. Plus, I've had things stolen and beer bottles thrown around, and that just eats at me. It's not bad enough that "whoever it is" thinks they can just do whatever they please, but then they take stuff from me and throw trash around, for me to run over.

Any thoughts or advice here would be appreciated. I also need to devise a way to "frame" the signs and secure them to trees properly so they won't be torn down (that has also happened to me). Any ideas are welcome.

 

[brin]

I know this doesn't have anything to do with my tractor so if it needs to be moved elsewhere that's fine. I just wanted to ask you guys about No Trespassing signs.

First, do they hold any legal weight? I have read about some of you having problems with people trespassing on your land. So what kind of recourse do you have? Does the sign do anything at all for you, legally? I figured if the store here sells them, they have to have some kind of validity but maybe they don't. I don't know.

Let's say somebody comes onto my land without my permission and they get injured. Does having no trespassing signs clearly posted help me in any way, or am I liable for their injury no matter what? I suppose these matters are handled differently depending on your local laws.

What really bothers me is, I don't do this to other people because it's just wrong. I don't have the gall to just drive up and walk around on property that isn't mine or isn't open to the public, unless I have permission. Plus, I've had things stolen and beer bottles thrown around, and that just eats at me. It's not bad enough that "whoever it is" thinks they can just do whatever they please, but then they take stuff from me and throw trash around, for me to run over.

Any thoughts or advice here would be appreciated. I also need to devise a way to "frame" the signs and secure them to trees properly so they won't be torn down (that has also happened to me). Any ideas are welcome.

Ted,

I have " Posted - No Trespassing - Hunting or Fishing " signs posted all over my farm and they meet the code for such signs.

I had a trespasser that used my row boat to fish in my lake, left garbage behind and I knew it was the next door neighbor who had just moved in next door...he has actually cut my pasture fence adjoining his property to gain access... I called the Sheriff and a deputy came out and said unless I actually saw him on my property there was nothing I could do..so I guess that means the signs are great for honest folks but otherwise, useless.

As far as liability goes...I am not a lawyer but I would imagine all someone would have to do is allege you were negligent in some way and say they did not see any signs..My solution is I maintain an Umbrella liability policy in the 7 figures...they are not very expensive..Good Luck...it eats me up too..I'd sure like to catch one red handed one of these days..

 

[Johndeere3720]

I got my dad this sign a year ago and we havent had any trespassers for a while now. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...4097-rt-polo-cyril-chronicles-8-14-10-039.jpg We also put in a gate that has to be manually opend and since it is winter here it is really muddy where the gate is making it more challenging to open the gate. We have 3 more no trespassing signs near the gate as well.

 

[Robb71]

The first place to start is a thorough reading of your states trespassing laws.

Here posting is not required if the land is fenced or it is farm land.
It is usually a lower misdemeanor crime and obviously you have to have proof to press charges.

A digital game camera strategically placed can provide plenty of evidence, but good luck getting much help from your local LE. Unless someone is building a meth lab on your property most LEOs I've encountered don't put much priority toward trespassing crime.

 

[wedge40]

I got my dad this sign a year ago and we havent had any trespassers for a while now. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...4097-rt-polo-cyril-chronicles-8-14-10-039.jpg We also put in a gate that has to be manually opend and since it is winter here it is really muddy where the gate is making it more challenging to open the gate. We have 3 more no trespassing signs near the gate as well.

Great sign. I would post this sign and then start target practice every couple of weeks. This would let your neighbor know that you have a gun and know how to use it. I'm sure there are many people on here who will frown on this method, but in reality fear is probably your only weapon. Security cameras are getting cheaper all the time, so that is another method as well. Once you have someone on film ignoring the signs they might think twice.

Wedge

 

[beppington]

I got my dad this sign a year ago and we havent had any trespassers for a while now. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...4097-rt-polo-cyril-chronicles-8-14-10-039.jpg

I do like that sign! ... but I suspect most people will figure it just means you have a sense of humor.

 

[slowzuki]

What a no trespassing sign means depends where you live. In general, you can't leave hazards on your property ie if you dig a big pit in a trail, or put down a spike board etc.

If there are hazards that you are aware of, you're supposed to take reasonable precautions to eliminate or sign them in some way. Ie if you did a test pit in an open field, put flagging tape around it. But if say there are rotten trees in the woods, it doesn't mean you have to flag them because that is a normal condition of being in the woods.

 

[beppington]

What a no trespassing sign means depends where you live. In general, you can't leave hazards on your property ie if you dig a big pit in a trail, or put down a spike board etc.

If there are hazards that you are aware of, you're supposed to take reasonable precautions to eliminate or sign them in some way. Ie if you did a test pit in an open field, put flagging tape around it. But if say there are rotten trees in the woods, it doesn't mean you have to flag them because that is a normal condition of being in the woods.

I heard somewhere recently (maybe here on TBN?) that "reasonable" is the most litigated word in US courts.

"Normal" is probably 2nd

 

[jdonovan]

First, do they hold any legal weight?
So what kind of recourse do you have?
Does the sign do anything at all for you, legally?

I figured if the store here sells them, they have to have some kind of validity but maybe they don't. I don't know.

It will depend very much on the laws where the property is located. You'll need to look up tresspass law and get advice from a local lawyer about what you can/can't do. Or in some cases MUST do to protect your rights.

Any thoughts or advice here would be appreciated. I also need to devise a way to "frame" the signs and secure them to trees properly so they won't be torn down (that has also happened to me). Any ideas are welcome.

There is no sign you can build that can't be torn down.

Generally 'round here we use 3/8 exterior plywood cut to fit the signs, and then hang the signs with the nails you get at the store with the big plastic washer already on them.

 

[Jimbrown]

Read this.

Trespassing: Encyclopedia of Everyday Law