Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 2911
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21 (2026)

Criminal trespass

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
April 12, 2021
Latest Legislation:
Senate Bill 33 - 133rd General Assembly
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(A) No person, without privilege to do so, shall do any of the following:

(1) Knowingly enter or remain on the land or premises of another;

(2) Knowingly enter or remain on the land or premises of another, the use of which is lawfully restricted to certain persons, purposes, modes, or hours, when the offender knows the offender is in violation of any such restriction or is reckless in that regard;

(3) Recklessly enter or remain on the land or premises of another, as to which notice against unauthorized access or presence is given by actual communication to the offender, or in a manner prescribed by law, or by posting in a manner reasonably calculated to come to the attention of potential intruders, or by fencing or other enclosure manifestly designed to restrict access;

(4) Being on the land or premises of another, negligently fail or refuse to leave upon being notified by signage posted in a conspicuous place or otherwise being notified to do so by the owner or occupant, or the agent or servant of either;

(5) Knowingly enter or remain on a critical infrastructure facility.

(B) It is no defense to a charge under this section that the land or premises involved was owned, controlled, or in custody of a public agency.

(C) It is no defense to a charge under this section that the offender was authorized to enter or remain on the land or premises involved, when such authorization was secured by deception.

(D)(1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of criminal trespass. Criminal trespass in violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. Criminal trespass in violation of division (A)(5) of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(2) Notwithstanding section 2929.28 of the Revised Code, if the person, in committing the violation of this section, used a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle, the court shall impose a fine of two times the usual amount imposed for the violation.

(3) If an offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two or more violations of this section or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, and the offender, in committing each violation, used a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle, the court, in addition to or independent of all other penalties imposed for the violation, may impound the certificate of registration of that snowmobile or off-highway motorcycle or the certificate of registration and license plate of that all-purpose vehicle for not less than sixty days. In such a case, section 4519.47 of the Revised Code applies.

(E) Notwithstanding any provision of the Revised Code, if the offender, in committing the violation of this section, used an all-purpose vehicle, the clerk of the court shall pay the fine imposed pursuant to this section to the state recreational vehicle fund created by section 4519.11 of the Revised Code.

(F) As used in this section:

(1) "All-purpose vehicle," "off-highway motorcycle," and "snowmobile" have the same meanings as in section 4519.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Land or premises" includes any land, building, structure, or place belonging to, controlled by, or in custody of another, and any separate enclosure or room, or portion thereof.

(3) "Production operation," "well," and "well pad" have the same meanings as in section 1509.01 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Critical infrastructure facility" means:

(a) One of the following, if completely enclosed by a fence or other physical barrier that is obviously designed to exclude intruders, or if clearly marked with signs that are reasonably likely to come to the attention of potential intruders and that indicate entry is forbidden without site authorization:

(i) A petroleum or alumina refinery;

(ii) An electric generating facility, substation, switching station, electrical control center, or electric transmission and distribution lines and associated equipment;

(iii) A chemical, polymer, or rubber manufacturing facility;

(iv) A water intake structure, water treatment facility, waste water facility, drainage facility, water management facility, or any similar water or sewage treatment system and its water and sewage piping;

(v) A natural gas company facility or interstate natural gas pipeline, including a pipeline interconnection, a natural gas compressor station and associated facilities, city gate or town border station, metering station, above-ground piping, regulator station, valve site, delivery station, fabricated assembly, or any other part of a natural gas storage facility involved in the gathering, storage, transmission, or distribution of gas;

(vi) A telecommunications central switching office or remote switching facility or an equivalent network facility that serves a similar purpose;

(vii) Wireline or wireless telecommunications infrastructure, including telecommunications towers and telephone poles and lines, including fiber optic lines;

(viii) A port, trucking terminal, or other freight transportation facility;

(ix) A gas processing plant, including a plant used in the processing, treatment, or fractionation of natural gas or natural gas liquids;

(x) A transmission facility used by a federally licensed radio or television station;

(xi) A steel-making facility that uses an electric arc furnace to make steel;

(xii) A facility identified and regulated by the United States department of homeland security's chemical facility anti-terrorism standards program under 6 C.F.R. part 27;

(xiii) A dam that is regulated by the state or federal government;

(xiv) A crude oil or refined products storage and distribution facility, including valve sites, pipeline interconnections, pump station, metering station, below- or above-ground pipeline, or piping and truck loading or off-loading facility;

(xv) A video service network and broadband infrastructure, including associated buildings and facilities, video service headends, towers, utility poles, and utility lines such as fiber optic lines. As used in this division, "video service network" has the same meaning as in section 1332.21 of the Revised Code.

(xvi) Any above-ground portion of an oil, gas, hazardous liquid or chemical pipeline, tank, or other storage facility;

(xvii) Any above-ground portion of a well, well pad, or production operation;

(xviii) A laydown area or construction site for pipe and other equipment intended for use on an interstate or intrastate natural gas or crude oil pipeline;

(xix) Any mining operation, including any processing equipment, batching operation, or support facility for that mining operation.

(b) With respect to a video service network or broadband or wireless telecommunications infrastructure, the above-ground portion of a facility installed in a public right-of-way on a utility pole or in a conduit;

(c) Any railroad property;

(d) An electronic asset of any of the following:

(i) An electric light company that is a public utility under section 4905.02 of the Revised Code;

(ii) An electric cooperative, as defined in section 4928.01 of the Revised Code;

(iii) A municipal electric utility, as defined in section 4928.01 of the Revised Code;

(iv) A natural gas company that is a public utility under section 4905.02 of the Revised Code;

(v) A telephone company that is a public utility under section 4905.02 of the Revised Code;

(vi) A video service provider, including a cable operator, as those terms are defined in section 1332.21 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Electronic asset" includes, but is not limited to, the hardware, software, and data of a programmable electronic device; all communications, operations, and customer data networks; and the contents of those data networks.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 371 cases (128 in the last 5 years), 1980–2026 · leading case: State v. Otten, 515 N.E.2d 1009 (Ohio Ct. App. 1986).
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State v. Otten, 515 N.E.2d 1009 (Ohio Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 4× “Defendant Otten appeals from his conviction for one count of criminal trespass, in violation of R.C. 2911.21(A)(4). We affirm. Facts Otten is an employee of the American Federation of State, County and *340 Municipal Employees (“AFSCME”).”
Cleveland v. Dickerson, 2016 Ohio 806 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 13× “1 For the purposes of this appeal, references to R.C. 2911.21 apply equally to CCO 623.04.”
State v. Dean, 2022 Ohio 3105 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 13× “16CA9, 2017-Ohio-7548, ¶ 44-46 (appellant's conviction for criminal trespass in violation of R.C. 2911.21[A][2] was supported by sufficient evidence where appellant entered a "clearly marked restricted area" on the grounds of a county courthouse to place a sticker on a directory…”
Neil Morgan v. Fairfield Cty., Ohio, 903 F.3d 553 (6th Cir. 2018). · cites it 2× “” Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2911.21 (A)(1) (criminal trespass statute).”
State v. Bertram, 2023 Ohio 1456 (Ohio 2023). · cites it 4× “We remand the case to the trial court for it to enter a judgment of conviction against Bertram for criminal trespass under R.C. 2911.21(A)(1) and to sentence him, in accordance with this opinion.”
State v. McFarland (Slip Opinion), 2020 Ohio 3343 (Ohio 2020). · cites it 2× “A trespass under R.C. 2911.21(A) occurs when a person, without privilege to do so, “[k]nowingly enter[s] or remain[s] on the premises of another.”
People v. Oram, 217 P.3d 883 (Colo. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “12(A) ("[t]respass"); see Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(1) *901 (defining "trespass" to include "[k]nowingly enter[ing] or remain[ing]") Wis.”
State v. Randolph, 2022 Ohio 2909 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 12× “charged with criminal trespass in violation of R.C. 2911.21, a fourth degree misdemeanor.”
State v. Mankin, 2020 Ohio 5317 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 4× “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} On January 24, 2019, officers from the Westerville Division of Police arrested Mankin on one count of criminal trespass in violation of R.C. 2911.21(A)(4), a fourth-degree misdemeanor; and one count of resisting arrest in violation of R.”
State v. Groves, 2019 Ohio 5025 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “13(A)(3)), two counts of Criminal Trespass (R.C. 2911.21(A)(1) and (A)(3) respectively), Criminal Damaging (R.”
State v. Knuff, 2024 Ohio 902 (Ohio 2024). · cites it 2× “” R.C. 2911.21(A)(1). 100 January Term, 2024 Michael C.”
State v. Sutton, 2015 Ohio 4074 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 3× “10 clarifies that the trespass element of burglary refers to a violation of R.C. 2911.21 which defines criminal trespass.”
Show all 371 citing cases →
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A) — 38 cases
State v. McFarland (Slip Opinion), 2020 Ohio 3343 (Ohio 2020). “A trespass under R.C. 2911.21(A) occurs when a person, without privilege to do so, “[k]nowingly enter[s] or remain[s] on the premises of another.”
State v. Steffen, 509 N.E.2d 383 (Ohio 1987).
State v. Hudson, 2018 Ohio 423 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
State v. Lyons, 480 N.E.2d 767 (Ohio 1985).
State v. Kist, 877 N.E.2d 747 (Ohio Ct. App. 2007).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(1) — 201 cases
State v. Bertram, 2023 Ohio 1456 (Ohio 2023). “We remand the case to the trial court for it to enter a judgment of conviction against Bertram for criminal trespass under R.C. 2911.21(A)(1) and to sentence him, in accordance with this opinion.”
People v. Oram, 217 P.3d 883 (Colo. Ct. App. 2009). “12(A) ("[t]respass"); see Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(1) *901 (defining "trespass" to include "[k]nowingly enter[ing] or remain[ing]") Wis.”
State v. Knuff, 2024 Ohio 902 (Ohio 2024). “” R.C. 2911.21(A)(1). 100 January Term, 2024 Michael C.”
State v. Craig, 2017 Ohio 4342 (Ohio Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Haller, 2012 Ohio 5233 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(1)(D)(1) — 2 cases
State v. Ducksworth, 2025 Ohio 480 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
State v. Triplett, 2018 Ohio 5200 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(12) — 1 case
State v. Powell, 2018 Ohio 3944 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(2) — 19 cases
State v. Dean, 2022 Ohio 3105 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “16CA9, 2017-Ohio-7548, ¶ 44-46 (appellant's conviction for criminal trespass in violation of R.C. 2911.21[A][2] was supported by sufficient evidence where appellant entered a "clearly marked restricted area" on the grounds of a county courthouse to place a sticker on a directory…”
State v. McMechan, 549 N.E.2d 211 (Ohio Ct. App. 1988).
State v. Cooper, 860 N.E.2d 135 (Ohio Ct. App. 2006).
State v. Shelly, 2011 Ohio 4301 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011).
State v. Pope, 2019 Ohio 4100 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(3) — 24 cases
State v. Hammock, 2024 Ohio 2149 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Sheppard, 2025 Ohio 161 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
State v. Smith, 2012 Ohio 4861 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Morgan, 2024 Ohio 625 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Shelton, 578 N.E.2d 473 (Ohio Ct. App. 1989).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(3)(D)(1) — 1 case
State v. Sheppard, 2025 Ohio 161 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(4) — 14 cases
State v. Otten, 515 N.E.2d 1009 (Ohio Ct. App. 1986). “Defendant Otten appeals from his conviction for one count of criminal trespass, in violation of R.C. 2911.21(A)(4). We affirm. Facts Otten is an employee of the American Federation of State, County and *340 Municipal Employees (“AFSCME”).”
Cleveland v. Dickerson, 2016 Ohio 806 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “1 For the purposes of this appeal, references to R.C. 2911.21 apply equally to CCO 623.04.”
State v. Mankin, 2020 Ohio 5317 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020). “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} On January 24, 2019, officers from the Westerville Division of Police arrested Mankin on one count of criminal trespass in violation of R.C. 2911.21(A)(4), a fourth-degree misdemeanor; and one count of resisting arrest in violation of R.”
State v. Groves, 2019 Ohio 5025 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019). “13(A)(3)), two counts of Criminal Trespass (R.C. 2911.21(A)(1) and (A)(3) respectively), Criminal Damaging (R.”
State v. Pierce, 2011 Ohio 5353 (Ohio Ct. App. 2011).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(A)(5) — 1 case
State v. Campbell, 2023 Ohio 1626 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(B) — 9 cases
State v. McFarland (Slip Opinion), 2020 Ohio 3343 (Ohio 2020). “A trespass under R.C. 2911.21(A) occurs when a person, without privilege to do so, “[k]nowingly enter[s] or remain[s] on the premises of another.”
Cleveland v. Dickerson, 2016 Ohio 806 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016). “1 For the purposes of this appeal, references to R.C. 2911.21 apply equally to CCO 623.04.”
State v. Dean, 2022 Ohio 3105 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “16CA9, 2017-Ohio-7548, ¶ 44-46 (appellant's conviction for criminal trespass in violation of R.C. 2911.21[A][2] was supported by sufficient evidence where appellant entered a "clearly marked restricted area" on the grounds of a county courthouse to place a sticker on a directory…”
State v. Newell, 639 N.E.2d 513 (Ohio Ct. App. 1994).
State v. Webb, 2023 Ohio 4817 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(C) — 4 cases
State v. Sutton, 2015 Ohio 4074 (Ohio Ct. App. 2015). “10 clarifies that the trespass element of burglary refers to a violation of R.C. 2911.21 which defines criminal trespass.”
State v. Lilly, 717 N.E.2d 322 (Ohio 1999).
In re J.M., 2012 Ohio 5283 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Lilly, 1999 Ohio 251 (Ohio 1999).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(D) — 3 cases
State v. Otten, 515 N.E.2d 1009 (Ohio Ct. App. 1986). “Defendant Otten appeals from his conviction for one count of criminal trespass, in violation of R.C. 2911.21(A)(4). We affirm. Facts Otten is an employee of the American Federation of State, County and *340 Municipal Employees (“AFSCME”).”
State v. Mankin, 2020 Ohio 5317 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020). “Facts and Procedural History {¶ 2} On January 24, 2019, officers from the Westerville Division of Police arrested Mankin on one count of criminal trespass in violation of R.C. 2911.21(A)(4), a fourth-degree misdemeanor; and one count of resisting arrest in violation of R.”
State v. Amburgy, 701 N.E.2d 728 (Ohio Ct. App. 1997).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(D)(1) — 5 cases
Beatty v. Warden Noble Corr. Inst. (S.D. Ohio 2023).
State v. White, 2021 Ohio 4076 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Dickinson, 2023 Ohio 3068 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
Barberton v. Woodarski, 2024 Ohio 2156 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Thomas, 2010 Ohio 1548 (Ohio Ct. App. 2010).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(E) — 7 cases
State v. O'Neal, 721 N.E.2d 73 (Ohio 2000).
State v. Lilly, 717 N.E.2d 322 (Ohio 1999).
State v. O'Neal, 2000 Ohio 449 (Ohio 2000).
State v. Lilly, 1999 Ohio 251 (Ohio 1999).
State v. Janson, 917 N.E.2d 296 (Ohio Ct. App. 2009).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(F)(2) — 6 cases
State v. Potter, 2020 Ohio 431 (Ohio Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Choudri, 2023 Ohio 4476 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
State v. Nigrin, 2016 Ohio 2901 (Ohio Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Briggs, 2019 Ohio 5290 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
State v. Strietelmeier, 2022 Ohio 2370 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 2911.21(F)(4) — 1 case
State v. Deckard, 2023 Ohio 1398 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.