quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
^^^
Homeowner: "Well, that squatter now has a permanent place to stay under that mound of dirt back there by the big oak tree..."

Hey, it's Florida. No digging required. Just take the moron for a boat ride.

In Florida? Just take the squatter to the nearest golf course with a big lake.

Happy for Florida and any state that toughens laws against squatting.

I cant believe the protections that squatters have/had in some states.

Hoping Texas adds a bill like this to protect against squatting in the next years legislature.

Squatters rights are why housing illegal aliens is a disastrous idea even if done in good faith. Imagine trying to get them out legally and with the character assassination that would come with it. I wouldn’t do it anywhere but at least in Florida it seems eviction can now be reasonable.

Entering the property of another without authorization is the essential element of criminal trespass. State laws vary, but in most cases when the entry is into an enclosed structure it is a felony offense.

Forcing entry usually demonstratea criminal intent. Entry with intent to commit a crime other than simple trespass usually constitutes burglary. Damaging, destroying, or altering (changing locks, disabling windows, etc) may add charges of malicious mischief, vandalism, unlawful tampering with property (lots of variations in laws and legal definitions).

Creating and filing public records in support of unauthorized claims of legal interests could support charges of forgery and/or fraud.

When a credible complaint is received and evidence amounting to probable cause exists the proper course of action is arrest followed by prosecution.

I read these horror stories with shock and disgust. I cannot imagine the twists in logic that try to shift these incidents into some kind of civil matter, landlord-tenant disputes, etc.