In the greater Charlotte area, there are several different airports, and crimes that are committed in the airport usually involve serious punishment and complex issues that aren’t always seen in other areas. The three most common charges seen in the airport are; carrying a weapon, trespassing, and intoxicated and disruptive. Each of these charges are significantly more serious in the airport than they would be if the accused wasn’t in the airport, and can result in being banned from not only a particular airline or area in the airport but also the airport as a whole.
Guns at the Airport
As we have covered in previous articles, the airport at large is a no-firearm area. Under North Carolina law, if a place is posted no dangerous weapons are allowed, then regardless of your status as a concealed handgun permit holder, you cannot carry a weapon in that place. Furthermore, once you enter the secured area (the area including the security checkpoint and beyond), both state and federal law prohibit the carrying of a dangerous or deadly weapon. If you are found to be in violation of either of these laws you can face severe fines, probation, or even jail time. If you are charged with carrying a weapon at the airport call the Criminal Defense Team at Jetton and Meredith Today.
Trespassing
Another common criminal charge at the airport is the crime of trespassing, while there are certainly instances similar to what you are used to outside of the airport setting, someone who is told to leave a place and doesn’t or has been told prior not to be in an area and returns, the most serious version is when someone enters a restricted area without permission. These areas are generally well marked and off limits to the public, with the most strictly controlled areas, baggage area and the actual tarmac being off limits to all who do not have a secure pass. It is important to know that you don’t have to remain in the controlled area after being told to leave in order to be convicted of trespassing at the airport. Instead, simply entering the controlled areas without authorization can be the basis of a conviction. Being convicted of this kind of offense can lead to severe fines, probation, or even jail time.
Intoxicated and Disruptive
A common problem in the airport and on airplanes in general is the over-serving of alcohol. Alcohol affects the body differently at altitude, and the mass availability of bars, restaurants, and other liquor-serving venues means that a person can quite easily be over-served. It is important that if you are drinking at the airport or while traveling you do not become disruptive. When looking at intoxicated and disruptive, there are two key areas we look at: first, at the terminal; and second, on the other side of the gate to the aircraft.
In the Terminal
Being intoxicated and disruptive in the terminal area is a misdemeanor in North Carolina. Punishable by fines, probation, or even jail time these are serious charges that need to be taken care of as soon as possible.
In the Area after the Gate to the Aircraft
If you are intoxicated and disruptive on the jetway, bridge, tarmac leading to the aircraft, or on the aircraft, even if the aircraft is not in the air, it can be a serious offense, that will not only end with you being banned from that airline but can land you in serious hot water in the court system, with a federal punishment of up to 20 years in prison and a fine in the tens of thousands, these kind of crimes can be very serious.
Getting in trouble at the airport is a serious event, if you or someone you know has charges stemming from an incident at the airport, call the Criminal Defense team at Jetton and Meredith today.