Trespass
MCL 750.552 — told to stay off, told to leave, or posted farmland
The section makes three things an offense:
- Entering another's land or premises without lawful authority after being forbidden to by the owner, occupant, or their agent.
- Remaining without lawful authority after being told to leave by the owner, occupant, or their agent.
- Entering or staying on fenced or posted farm property without the consent of the owner, lessee or agent. For this one no request to leave is needed.
The farm rule does not apply to someone taking the most direct route to reach the owner, lessee or agent to ask for consent. None of the section applies to a process server taking the most direct route to serve papers on the owner, occupant, agent or lessee.
A misdemeanor: up to 30 days, $250, or both. A violation is punishable by up to 30 days in the county jail, a fine of up to $250, or both.
What counts as lawful authority, and trespass on public property or at a business open to the public, are not settled by this section and are not covered here.
Sources for this section (1)
- MCL 750.552 — Trespass
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.