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Can you face jail time in Michigan for entering without permission without intent?

A group of my friends and I (we're almost all 18) entered my friend's old house's garage (the house is on foreclosure) and just hung out with the garage. A neighbor called the police and now depending upon the detective and prosecutors, we could get charged. I'm curious if anyone knows what the penalty could be?

Public Comments

1. This is tresspassing, which is a violation, not a crime. Probably a fine at the most. Nothing serious. Why would it depend on the detective? Were you arrested for this? If you were what were you charged with? And in response to BEN F. Trespassing is a violation... 140.00 Criminal trespass and burglary; definitions of terms. The following definitions are applicable to this article: 1. "Premises" includes the term "building," as defined herein, and any real property. 2. "Building," in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes any structure, vehicle or watercraft used for overnight lodging of persons, or used by persons for carrying on business therein, or used as an elementary or secondary school, or an inclosed motor truck, or an inclosed motor truck trailer. Where a building consists of two or more units separately secured or occupied, each unit shall be deemed both a separate building in itself and a part of the main building. 3. "Dwelling" means a building which is usually occupied by a person lodging therein at night. 4. "Night" means the period between thirty minutes after sunset and thirty minutes before sunrise. 5. "Enter or remain unlawfully." A person "enters or remains unlawfully" in or upon premises when he is not licensed or privileged to do so. A person who, regardless of his intent, enters or remains in or upon premises which are at the time open to the public does so with license and privilege unless he defies a lawful order not to enter or remain, personally communicated to him by the owner of such premises or other authorized person. A license or privilege to enter or remain in a building which is only partly open to the public is not a license or privilege to enter or remain in that part of the building which is not open to the public. A person who enters or remains upon unimproved and apparently unused land, which is neither fenced nor otherwise enclosed in a manner designed to exclude intruders, does so with license and privilege unless notice against trespass is personally communicated to him by the owner of such land or other authorized person, or unless such notice is given by posting in a conspicuous manner. A person who enters or remains in or about a school building without written permission from someone authorized to issue such permission or without a legitimate reason which includes a relationship involving custody of or responsibility for a pupil or student enrolled in the school or without legitimate business or a purpose relating to the operation of the school does so without license and privilege. S 140.05 Trespass. A person is guilty of trespass when he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon premises. Trespass is a violation. (PENAL LAW) And to Five-O : Violation, Misdemeanor, and Felony...3 different things. Tresspass is a violation of the Law. A tresspass is to enter and remain unlawfully in a dwelling. This is a violation. Of course this varies from state to state. I dont know where your a police officer but this may be the case in your jurisdiction. You saying that you shouldnt have arrested so many people for it means nothing, since you may be arrested for a violation. You may also be issued a summons in lieu of arrest for a violation. Disorderly conduct = violation = summons or if the officer feels its necessary may arrest. To the young lady or gentlemen that asked this question, Im Dr. Blah Blah, as I spent 4 years earning a b.a. 2 yrs earning a m.a. and another 5 earning phd in Criminal justice. I also spent 10 yrs as a police officer. Trust me...
2. If the house if foreclosed then it becomes property of the Bank. You could be charged with tresspassing, breaking and entering. In response to "Blahblah", tresspassing is a crime and not a violation, get it straight.
3. Trespassing. The property does not belong to your friend it belows to the bank. You were trespassing. Why would you even do that? I know that you are young, but still .... *think* first. Wise up and obey the law.
4. blah blah, trespassing's not a crime? gah, I shouldn't have arrested so many people for it then I suppose! To answer your question, they could charge you at the city level for trespass or a state charge (felony) for burglary depending on how it goes. Was the garage attached to the house? Could be burglary. Although with that they'll usually have to show a little more such as you "intended" on committing a crime while trespass has less elements. Probably looking at juvenile probation if 18 is the adult age in your state.
5. this goes for every one and its called trespassing of an unoccupied conveyance and it is a crime at least in Florida and yes i have arrested two people for it
6. Yes you can. It's very dangerous to enter someones house in Michigan now since the law was passed that the homeowner can legally shoot an intruder & not face any legal penalties. It's called the "Castle Doctrine".