Burglary

Burglary – often just called breaking and entering – is a crime related to theft. It typically involves someone breaking into a house with an intent to commit a crime. To carry out a burglary is to burgle (British English) or burglarize (US English).

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The original common law definition of burglary consisted of six specific elements: "breaking and entering the dwelling of another during the night with the intention to commit a felony therein".

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• Breaking

The first element, "breaking," required at least a minimal application of force. The opening of an unlocked door was sufficient, but if a person entered a house through an already open door or window, there was no "breaking" and therefore no burglary, even if all other elements were present. However, if a person were to enter the house through an open door, and were then to open a closed door leading to another room in the house, that would qualify as "breaking" into that room.

Burglary: Historical definition ►



 

Crime: A crime in a broad sense is an act that violates a political or moral law. In the narrow sense, a crime is a violation of the criminal law. For example, most traffic violations or breaches of contract are not crimes in a legal sense....

Theft: Theft (also known as stealing) is in general, the wrongful taking of someone else's property without that person's willful consent. In law, it is usually the broadest term for a crime against property. It is a general term that encompasses offences such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, ...

British English: British English (BrE) is a term used loosely to refer to the form of the English language written in the British Isles, and more narrowly as spoken in the south of England (extending elsewhere with varying degrees). For historical reasons dating back to the rise of London in the 9th century, the var...