2005 Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual

2005 Federal Sentencing Guidelines

Chapter 2 - PART B - BASIC ECONOMIC OFFENSES

§2B2.3. Trespass

(a) Base Offense Level: 4

(b) Specific Offense Characteristics

(1) If the trespass occurred (A) at a secured government facility; (B) at a nuclear energy facility; (C) on a vessel or aircraft of the United States; (D) in a secured area of an airport; (E) at a residence; or (F) on a computer system used (i) to maintain or operate a critical infrastructure; or (ii) by or for a government entity in furtherance of the administration of justice, national defense, or national security, increase by 2 levels.

(2) If a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was possessed, increase by 2 levels.

(3) If (A) the offense involved invasion of a protected computer; and (B) the loss resulting from the invasion (i) exceeded $2,000 but did not exceed $5,000, increase by 1 level; or (ii) exceeded $5,000, increase by the number of levels from the table in §2B1.1 (Theft, Property Destruction, and Fraud) corresponding to that amount.

(1) If the offense was committed with the intent to commit a felony offense, apply §2X1.1 (Attempt, Solicitation, or Conspiracy) in respect to that felony offense, if the resulting offense level is greater than that determined above.

Commentary

Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 1030(a)(3), 1036; 42 U.S.C. § 7270b. For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).

Application Notes:

1. Definitions.—For purposes of this guideline:

"Airport" has the meaning given that term in section 47102 of title 49, United States Code.

"Critical infrastructure" means systems and assets vital to national defense, national security, economic security, public health or safety, or any combination of those matters. A critical infrastructure may be publicly or privately owned. Examples of critical infrastructures include gas and oil production, storage, and delivery systems, water supply systems, telecommunications networks, electrical power delivery systems, financing and banking systems, emergency services (including medical, police, fire, and rescue services), transportation systems and services (including highways, mass transit, airlines, and airports), and government operations that provide essential services to the public.

"Felony offense" means any offense (federal, state, or local) punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, whether or not a criminal charge was brought or a conviction was obtained.

"Firearm" and "dangerous weapon" are defined in the Commentary to §1B1.1 (Application Instructions).

"Government entity" has the meaning given that term in 18 U.S.C. § 1030(e)(9).

"Protected computer" means a computer described in 18 U.S.C. § 1030(e)(2)(A) or (B).

2. Valuation of loss is discussed in the Commentary to §2B1.1 (Theft, Property Destruction, and Fraud).

Background: Most trespasses punishable under federal law involve federal lands or property. The trespass section provides an enhancement for offenses involving trespass on secured government installations, such as nuclear facilities, to protect a significant federal interest. Additionally, an enhancement is provided for trespass at a residence.

Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 108 and 109); November 1, 1997 (see Appendix C, amendment 551); November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendment 617); November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 637); November 1, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 654).