Members of a nature activist group protested the cutting down of trees housing a rare bird. They chained themselves to the trees; loggers told them to leave; officers arrested them. What offense can officers arrest them for?

• A. Trespass (entering land) - misdemeanor
• B. Vandalism
• C. Disorderly conduct
• D. Criminal mischief

Answer: (A)

Trespass is about being on land without permission or staying after being asked to leave. In this scenario, the protesters entered land housing the trees and, when loggers told them to depart, they refused to leave. Their continued presence on the land after a lawful demand meets the basic element of trespass, making an arrest appropriate. There’s no indication of property damage, so vandalism isn’t shown, and the scene doesn’t describe acts that disrupt the public peace or damage property in a way that would fit disorderly conduct or criminal mischief. So the arrest for trespass fits the situation best.