Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts
trespassing orders
I have a civil trespassing order (TO) on file with local police for my Massachusetts residence on a 20 year old man who used to be my 19 year old daugther's (who still lives at same property) ex-boyfriend. I was told by local police that when the man was a juvenile, I could not detain or even touch him if found on my property so the police could come to collect him and file criminal charges. Now that he is an adult, can I detain him until police arrive? Does it matter if my daughter ignores TO and invites man on property? Does the TO apply to any of our vehicles? Same if daughter invites man into one of our vehicles when they are not on residential property? What can we do if we find him on property other than calling police and hoping they catch him themselves,which is unlikely?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: trespassing orders
If you detain someone, you are not authorized to use force.
The no trespass order you filed at the police station does not have the force of law unless it is Ordered by a Judge.
The TO applies only to your real estate, but can be voided by Invitation if the adult person who invites him has or would reasonably be assumed to have the authority to invite him onto the land. The no trespass does not apply to automobiles, and if your daughter gives him a ride, he cannot be arrested for it.
It seems that you are unhappy with your adult daughter's dating habits... that said, you cannot have people arrested if she, an adult residing on the property, invites them over; you would expose yourself to a lawsuit and your homeowner's policy may or may not insure you (check with them first to see if false arrest or assault and battery are insured).
The better solution is to establish clear rules for your adult daughter and if she violates, kick her out of the house. Once she no longer lives there, she does not have real or apparent authority to invite guests over.
Re: trespassing orders
YOu would be making a major error.
The last thing that you would want is for him to file criminal charges against you.
What I would suggest is getting a camera, and taking pictures of him when he is present. When taking the pictures is combined with calling the police, you will be ahead of the game.
The risk of you detaining some one under these facts is not one that even merits your consideration.
If you have any questions, you can contact me.
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