Property Invasion, Damages, Trespass Trespassing after hours at a trail

[AceClient]

Jurisdiction

Missouri

Me and some friends went to a trail nicknamed Zombie Road for being supposedly haunted. We went when it was nearing sunset and didnt realize how far we had gone in and it had got dark and we had made our way back. When we got to the beginning of the trail it was about 7:16 and the sunset was about 5:30. A cop had came down the trail and tol us to go to the other officers and they issued us citations, we were told it wouldnt go on our records if we showed up at court and payed the fine or did community service, is there anyway it would stay on my record or make me serve jail time.

 

[mightymoose]

It's a simple citation. There is no criminal record to speak of.
If there were no signs posted indicating the closing time it might be worth arguing in court to avoid the fine. It would depend what is posted in the area.

 

[adjusterjack]

There are apparently plenty of signs about the trail's hours and people get cited frequently for disobeying them:

After hours, Zombie Road is haunted by police and trespassers

 

[mightymoose]

So much for that argument.
Looks like you are on the hook.
So long as it is marked as an infraction and not a misdemeanor there is no criminal record and nothing to worry about.