Home › Theft & dishonesty › Break & enter
The whole idea in one picture
Burglary isn't really about the loot — it's about getting in unlawfully, meaning to steal. And the moment you add a weapon, a home, or people inside, the penalties leap.
Break and enter has three parts — and notice that "stealing something" isn't one of them:
These cases are usually built from what was left behind or seen, and the penalty depends heavily on the circumstances:
Break and enter is a serious (indictable) offence, usually heard in a higher court:
Penalties where you are
That's for break, enter and steal. Aggravated rises to 20 years; specially aggravated to 25.
Because the case turns on unlawful entry and intent, defences usually target one or the other:
You were allowed to be on the premises.
You entered for a different reason entirely.
Mistaken identity, or not enough proof you were the one who entered.
You were forced or coerced into it.
The aggravating factors are where the years pile on — and intent and identity are often arguable. We can point you to lawyers in your state.
Read this first
This page explains how these charges generally work — it can't tell you what will happen in your case. Penalties shown are the legal maximums, aimed at the most serious cases. If you're charged, talk to a criminal lawyer before answering questions.
