Muslims arrested for trespassing at reservoir

[Cormac]

What's weird is the size of the group... if they didn't have anything to poison the water with, reconnaissance en force doesn't make sense.

If they are innocent, they are even stupider... were they drunk?

Drunk Muslims?

Entirely plausible, if the lads were members of the house of Saud.

Given how many thousands are in that House, it's not completely out of the question.

Or, by way of another:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/de ... es-parties

Strict Islam is only for the downtrodden.

[Seth]

Pretty much the definition of reasonable suspicion for an arrest (now if they had all been shot dead it might have been a different matter)

Well, yeah, trodding on property designated "no trespassing" is pretty much a good indicator that one is trespassing. It's not only reasonable suspicion, it's law enforcement witnessing the commission of an offense. They aren't going to just explain what their reasonable suspicion was for making an arrest -- they're going to be testifying as fact witnesses. It's like a cop witnessing a bar fight.

In England and Wales you can't ordinarily be arrested for trespass, as it's a civil matter. Also, you're not trespassing if you're simply wandering around on someone's property (even with a "no trespassing" sign). If, when asked to leave private land, you refuse/fail to do so within reasonable time and via a reasonable route... then you could be sued.

There are some provisions under the Criminal Justice and Public Order acts for criminal trespass.

In the US it's always a criminal offense. That's because our Constitution acknowledges and protects private property rights, the preeminent of which is the right to exclude others.

[FBM]

There's a lot of interesting info on this page, but the part specifically defining criminal trespass in the US is here:

Criminal Trespass

At common law a trespass was not criminal unless it was accomplished by violence or breached the peace. Some modern statutes make any unlawful entry onto another's property a crime. When the trespass involves violence or injury to a person or property, it is always considered criminal, and penalties may be increased for more serious or malicious acts. Criminal intent may have to be proved to convict under some statutes, but in some states trespass is a criminal offense regardless of the defendant's intent.

Some statutes consider a trespass criminal only if the defendant has an unlawful purpose in entering or remaining in the place where he has no right to be. The unlawful purpose may be an attempt to disrupt a government office, theft, or Arson. Statutes in some states specify that a trespass is not criminal until after a warning, either spoken or by posted signs, has been given to the trespasser. Criminal trespass is punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictiona ... l+Trespass

[rainbow]

In the US it's always a criminal offense. That's because our Constitution acknowledges and protects private property rights, the preeminent of which is the right to exclude others.

Probably just wanted to take a romantic walk by a lake by moonlight.

[Seth]

In the US it's always a criminal offense. That's because our Constitution acknowledges and protects private property rights, the preeminent of which is the right to exclude others.

Probably just wanted to take a romantic walk by a lake by moonlight.

Find one that doesn't have a chain-link fence and "No Trespassing" signs around it.

If this ain't a Muslim extremist recon mission I'm a liberal.

[Robert_S]

Pretty much the definition of reasonable suspicion for an arrest (now if they had all been shot dead it might have been a different matter)

I'd say being found shot dead at the reservoir looks suspicious enough to be brought in for questioning.


On a serious note, no means no. Don't want to get shot: stay away from the water supply. It might not save lives, but would reduce the number of pushy assholes in the world.

[MrJonno]

Putting the point that arrest in a manner that no one gets hurt, sort out later in a calm environment later what actually happened. If nothing you let them go no harm done

[Robert_S]

Assuming you actually can find that out....

[Warren Dew]

In the US it's always a criminal offense. That's because our Constitution acknowledges and protects private property rights, the preeminent of which is the right to exclude others.

Probably just wanted to take a romantic walk by a lake by moonlight.

Find one that doesn't have a chain-link fence and "No Trespassing" signs around it.

The "no trespassing" signs make it less likely that you'll be disturbed while making out, though.

[Tyrannical]

There are specific laws regarding trespass at water reservoirs, it is not just the general application of trespass laws.
Any mention if they were wet and went swimming?

[Jason]

Do these 'specific' laws specifically concern Arabic-looking peoples?

[rainbow]

Do these 'specific' laws specifically concern Arabic-looking peoples?

At least they weren't Libertarians.
Then I'd be concerned. Obviously wanting to protest the government control of the water supply.