florida trespass
Is it a crime to sneak into a hotel pool?
<p>Suppose a hotel pool is very easy to get into, although there is a sign that it is only for the hotel guests. Is getting caught punishable by law enforcement? This is in Orange County, Florida, USA.</p>

<ul>
<li>Short Answer:</li>
</ul>
<p>If there are signs prohibiting non-guests then it's more than likely to be misdemeanor in the first degree.</p>
<ul>
<li>Long Answer:</li>
</ul>
<p>The offence is one of trespass contrary to Florida's <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;Search_String=&amp;URL=0800-0899/0810/Sections/0810.09.html" rel="noreferrer">TITLE XLVI, Chapter 810.09</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>(1)(a) A person who, without being authorized, licensed, or invited, willfully enters upon or remains in any property other than a structure or conveyance:</p>
<p>1. As to which notice against entering or remaining is given, either by actual communication to the offender or by posting, fencing, or cultivation as described in s. <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;Search_String=&amp;URL=0800-0899/0810/Sections/0810.011.html" rel="noreferrer">810.011</a>; or</p>
<p>2. [omitted]</p>
<p>commits the offense of trespass on property other than a structure or conveyance.</p>
<p>;(b) [omitted]</p>
<p>(2)(a) Except as provided in this subsection, <strong>trespass on property other than a structure or conveyance is a misdemeanor of the first degree</strong>, punishable as provided in <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;Search_String=&amp;URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.082.html" rel="noreferrer">s. 775.082</a><sup>1</sup> or <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;Search_String=&amp;URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.083.html" rel="noreferrer">s. 775.083</a><sup>2</sup>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The general power of arrest, at <a href="http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0900-0999/0901/Sections/0901.15.html#:%7E:text=The%202021%20Florida%20Statutes&amp;text=901.15%20When%20arrest%20by%20officer,the%20presence%20of%20the%20officer." rel="noreferrer">901.15</a>, requires a warrant for this offence unless certain conditions are met, as explained <a href="https://criminaldefenseattorneytampa.com/warrant-for-arrest/warrantless-arrest/" rel="noreferrer">here</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>When can an officer in Florida make a warrantless arrest for a misdemeanor? As a general rule, a warrant is required for a misdemeanor arrest unless:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>all of the elements of the misdemeanor were committed in the officer’s presence; or</p>
</li>
<li><p>the officer has probable cause for the arrest and the misdemeanor is on the list of statutory exceptions found in Section 901.15, F.S.; or</p>
</li>
<li><p>the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the subject has violated probation or community control in any material respect (sometimes called the “COP VOP” exception contained in Section 948.06).</p>
</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<p><sup>1</sup> The more likely punishments, based on a lack of specific detail, seem to be:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>For a misdemeanor of the first degree, by a definite term of imprisonment not exceeding 1 year</p>
</blockquote>
<p><sup>2</sup>Or:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>[not exceeding] $1,000, when the conviction is of a misdemeanor of the first degree</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Note that these punishments are <em>maximums</em> the court could impose if the hotel wanted to pursue the matter criminally.</p>
