Burglary is a serious criminal offence that involves entering another person’s property with the intent to commit a crime such as theft or vandalism. Burglary is distinguished from robbery in that, in robbery, there must be personal contact or force used on the victim, while in burglary there is no physical contact with the victim. In most jurisdictions, burglary is also defined as the unlawful entry of a dwelling during the day or night with the intent to commit a felony or theft inside.
Examples of Burglary
Examples of burglary include: breaking into a home with the intent to steal jewelry, using force to enter a business and steal money from the cash register, entering a vacant home and damaging its contents, and using a tool or instrument to break into a property. In all of these cases, the offender had the intent to commit a crime when entering the property.
Penalties for Burglary
The legal penalties for burglary vary from state to state. Generally, in the United States, burglary is charged as a felony and can come with a jail sentence of up to ten years, depending on the magnitude of the offense. It is also important to note that burglary often carries a minimum sentence and can result in a heavy fine. If the burglary results in injury to another person or property, the penalties are often harsher and can range from time in prison to life in prison.