Burglary

There are a number of crimes still enforced today that can trace their roots back to the beginning of punishment. Burglary is one of those crimes. Burglary is usually defined as the unlawful entry into almost any structure with the intent to commit any crime inside. Physical breaking and entering is not required, however, meaning that a trespasser may walk through an open door and still burgle.

Burglary is frequently called breaking and entering or even housebreaking. Typically, after breaking into someone’s home, a burglar will steal something from inside of the home. This is not always true and does not have to be true in order for burglary to have existed. After breaking and entering a person may commit any crime and still be held responsible for burglary.

In most jurisdictions, burglary is prosecuted as either a felony or a misdemeanor. This difference is usually tied to specific parts of the crime that were committed. It may involve trespassing and theft, entering a building or automobile, or remaining unlawfully with the intent to commit theft or any other crime.

Burglary was originally part of the common law body of crimes. Over the years, many of the country’s jurisdictions have codified burglary. This has allowed the states to specify exactly what is and is not burglary and also to add things like provisions concerning whether a car was locked or not.

Burglary, depending on what else is done, may become an element of crimes involving rape, arson, kidnapping, identity theft, or even a violation of civil rights.

Contact a Milwaukee Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with burglary and would like to know more about the crime, contact the Milwaukee criminal defense attorneys of Hart Powell, S.C. at 1-(414) 271-9595 to discuss your situation and to create a plan for defense.