Burglary Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Burglary, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Burglary?

(n) Burglary is the intended, unauthorized entry into a building, premises vehicle etc with an intention to do or carry out any crime, whether forcefully breaking into the building , premises vehicles etc or otherwise. In burglary it is not necessary that a crime should have been committed .

History and Meaning of Burglary

Burglary has been a common law offense for centuries and was originally defined as breaking into a dwelling at night with the intention of committing a felony. The definition has since evolved to include any unauthorized entry into a building or dwelling with the intent to commit a crime. This crime is often associated with theft, but it can also involve any number of other criminal activities. The severity of burglary charges can vary depending on factors such as the type of building or dwelling entered, whether the perpetrator was armed, and whether the victim was present at the time.

Examples of Burglary

  1. Breaking into a house with the intent to steal valuable items.
  2. Entering a store after hours and stealing merchandise.
  3. Climbing through a window of a school and vandalizing the property.
  4. Picking a lock to enter an office building to steal documents.
  5. Entering a garage to steal tools or equipment.

Legal Terms Similar to Burglary

  1. Robbery: The act of taking property from another person by force or the threat of force.
  2. Theft: The crime of stealing someone else's property.
  3. Trespass: Entering a property without permission or authority.
  4. Larceny: Unlawfully taking and carrying away someone's personal property with the intent to deprive the owner of it permanently.
  5. Home invasion: A type of burglary that involves entering a home with the intent to commit a crime while the occupants are present.