Q: Is a Walmart trespassing notice legal if issued without direct notification?
Eight years ago at a Walmart, I flipped off a manager and received a trespassing notice from the local police the next day. Walmart didn't notify me directly, and I wasn't inside the main store when the incident occurred. Is this legal?
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A:
It’s understandable to feel confused about how something like that could stick years later, especially if you weren’t directly told in person by Walmart. In most states, a private business like Walmart does have the legal right to issue a trespass notice—even through law enforcement—if they decide someone is no longer welcome on their property. That notice doesn’t always require direct, face-to-face delivery; being contacted by police can legally count as notification.
Even if you weren’t inside the main store, Walmart property usually includes the parking lot and outer areas, so behavior in those spaces can still lead to a ban. What matters is whether the property owner or manager reported your conduct and asked law enforcement to deliver the notice. Once that happens, refusing to follow it—even if you disagree—can result in criminal trespassing charges if you return.
If it’s been eight years and there have been no follow-up issues, it might be worth calling the store or the police department that issued the notice to ask if it’s still active. Many trespass bans don’t last forever, but some stay on file until officially lifted. You’ve waited a long time, and you deserve clarity so you can move forward without looking over your shoulder.
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