Intro to Paralegal Studies Practice

Burglary is defined as which of the following?

1. Entering a building without permission

2. Breaking and entering with no intent

3. Breaking into a building with intent to commit a felony

4. Entering with the intent to steal only

The correct answer is: Breaking into a building with intent to commit a felony

Burglary is commonly defined as the act of breaking and entering into a building with the intent to commit a crime, usually a felony, therein. This definition captures the essential elements of burglary: the unlawful entry into a structure and the specific intent to engage in criminal activity once inside. The aspect of intent is crucial—merely entering a building without permission does not constitute burglary unless there is an intention to commit a crime. Therefore, the mention of "breaking into a building with intent to commit a felony" encompasses both the unlawful entry and the purposeful objective behind it, aligning with legal definitions in many jurisdictions. In contrast, simply entering a building without permission or breaking and entering without that specific intent do not fulfill the legal criteria for burglary, as they lack the necessary component of intending to engage in criminal conduct inside. Additionally, limiting the definition to entering with the sole intent to steal lacks the broader context of other possible felonies that could also lead to a burglary charge. Therefore, the definition accurately reflects the legal understanding of burglary.