Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

Is this trespassing and malicious destruction of property?

my dad owns a rental house that backs up to another home. There is a fence inbetween that was being neglected by that property owner and all sorts of invasive weeds, trees, etc were growing in and under the fence. The neigbor is never home and none of the neigbors even know him. My dad started pulling and cutting and ended up jumping to the neighbor's side to chop them all back and pull them out. Another neigbor saw and even asked him to help her cut out 2 large ''trees'' that were growing into her fence from this same yard, which he did. The owner called the police and a report was made. He has told my dad he is suing him and will put a lein on his house. He said, ''I hope you have a lot of money because I'm gonna get it''. Other than trespassing and MAYBE MDOP what can happen to my dad? He wasn't being malicious, healpful if anything. what would be the max fine/penalty? Can he be sued?


Asked on 7/12/06, 11:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: Is this trespassing and malicious destruction of property?

Anybody can be sued. The real issue is whether the lawsuit can be sucessful. Based on your description of events, it does not sound to me as though your father would lose a lawsuit. In addition, I don't think that you're qualified to decide that this might be MDOP. Again, based on the facts that you've related, there is no MDOP. If your father is sued, he MUST IMMEDIATELY notify his homeowners insurance company.

Read more
Answered on 7/13/06, 7:31 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Michigan