(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CONVEYANCE. Any motor vehicle, vessel, railroad car, railroad engine, trailer, aircraft or sleeping car, and TO ENTER A CONVEYANCE includes taking apart any portion of the conveyance.
CULTIVATED LAND. The land which has been cleared of its natural vegetation and is presently planted with a crop, orchard, grove, pasture or trees or is fallow land as part of a crop rotation.
FENCED LAND. The land which has been enclosed by a fence of substantial construction, whether with rails, logs, post and railing, iron, steel, barbed wire, other wire or other material, which stands at least three feet in height. For the purpose of this section, it shall not be necessary to fence any boundary or part of a boundary of any land which is formed by water and is posted with signs pursuant to the provisions of this section.
POSTED LAND. The land upon which reasonably maintained signs are placed not more than 500 feet apart along and at each corner of the boundaries of the land upon which signs there appears prominently in letters of not less than two inches in height the words “no trespassing” and, in addition thereto, the name of the owner, lessee or occupant of the land. The signs shall be placed along the boundary line of POSTED LAND in a manner and in a position as to be clearly noticeable from outside of the boundary line. It shall not be necessary to give notice by posting on any enclosed land or place not exceeding five acres in area on which there is a dwelling house or property that by its nature and use is obviously private in order to obtain the benefits of this section pertaining to trespass on enclosed lands.
STRUCTURE. Any building of any kind, either temporary or permanent, which has a roof over it, together with the curtilage thereof.
TRESPASS. The willful unauthorized entry upon, in or under the property of another, but shall not include the following:
(a) Entry by the state, its political subdivisions or by the officers, agencies or instrumentalities thereof as authorized and provided by law;
(b) The exercise of rights in, under or upon property by virtue of rights-of-way or easements by a public utility or other person owning such right-of-way or easement whether by written or prescriptive right;
(c) Permissive entry, whether written or oral, and entry from a public road by the established private ways to reach a residence for the purpose of seeking permission shall not be trespass unless signs are posted prohibiting such entry;
(d) Entry performed in the exercise of a property right under ownership of an interest in, under or upon such property; or
(e) Entry where no physical damage is done to property in the performance of surveying to ascertain property boundaries, and in the performance of necessary work of construction, maintenance and repair of a common property line fence, or buildings or appurtenances which are immediately adjacent to the property line and maintenance of which necessitates entry upon the adjoining owner’s property.
(W. Va. Code 61-3B-1)
(B) Interpretation.
(1) An act is committed “in the course of committing” if it occurs in an attempt to commit the offense or in flight after the attempt or commission.
(2) Where lands are posted, cultivated or fenced as described herein, then such lands, for the purpose of this section, shall be considered as enclosed and posted.
(C) Trespass in structure or conveyance. Any person who knowingly enters in, upon or under a structure or conveyance without being authorized, licensed or invited, or having been authorized, licensed or invited is requested to depart by the owner, tenant or the agent of such owner or tenant, and refuses to do so, shall be fined not more than $100. If the offender is armed with a firearm or other dangerous weapon while in the structure or conveyance, with the unlawful and felonious intent to do bodily injury to a human being in such structure or conveyance at the time the offender knowingly trespasses, such offender shall, notwithstanding the provisions of W. Va. Code 61-7-1, be subject to the penalty provided in § 92.99(G).
(W. Va. Code 61-3B-2)
(D) Trespass on property other than structure or conveyance.
(1) Whoever knowingly and without being authorized, licensed or invited, enters or remains on any property, other than a structure or conveyance, as to which notice against entering or remaining is either given by actual communication to such person or by posting, fencing or cultivation, shall be fined not more than $100.
(2) If the offender defies an order to leave, personally communicated to him or her by the owner, tenant or agent of such owner or tenant, or if the offender opens any door, fence or gate, and thereby exposes animals, crops or other property to waste, destruction or freedom, or causes any damage to property by such trespassing on property other than a structure or conveyance, he or she shall be subject to the penalty provided in § 92.99(G).
(3) If the offender is armed with a firearm or other dangerous weapon with the unlawful and felonious intent to do bodily injury to a human being during his or her commission of the offense of trespass on property, other than a structure or conveyance, such offender shall, notwithstanding the provisions of W. Va. Code 61-7-1, be imprisoned for a term not to exceed state law, or fined a sum not to exceed state law, or both.
(4) Notwithstanding and in addition to any other penalties provided by law, any person who performs or causes damage to property in the course of a willful trespass shall be liable to the property owner in the amount of twice the amount of such damage, provided, that the provisions of this section shall not apply in a labor dispute.
(W. Va. Code 61-3B-3)
(Prior Code, § 533.02)