If a person willfully trespasses in a structure without authorization, what is the offense classified as?

Willful trespassing in a structure without authorization is typically classified as a misdemeanor of the second degree. This reflects the legal understanding that while trespassing is a violation of property rights and can be serious, it does not always involve the aggravating factors that elevate the crime to a felony level. Misdemeanor offenses generally carry less severe penalties than felonies, making them more appropriate for non-violent offenses like unauthorized entry into a structure, unless specific conditions (such as intent to commit additional crimes) are met that could influence the classification of the charge.

In many jurisdictions, the distinction between misdemeanor and felony trespassing rests on the nature of the entry and the intent behind it, but in the absence of aggravating circumstances, willful trespass is appropriately categorized as a misdemeanor of the second degree. This classification allows the law to address the violation while reserving more severe consequences for more serious offenses.