Burglary laws are meant to prevent danger to the personal safety of occupants who are present in their homes, residences, or vehicles. Burglary is defined as the unauthorized entry of a dwelling house. The term “dwelling house” has been expanded to include any building, structure, watercraft, vehicle, or movable.

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Elements of Burglary

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To be convicted of burglary, all elements of the crime must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt (or admitted to by the defendant). That is, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant actually entered the building, structure, vehicle, or movable, without the consent of the owner or occupier, and entered with the intent to commit a felony or theft therein. Without sufficient proof of each element, the prosecutor may secure a conviction for some other crime (such as trespass or attempted burglary, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, or entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden), but not burglary.

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Types of Burglary and Burglary Related Crimes

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• Aggravated Burglary

• Home Invasion

• Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling

• Simple Burglary

• Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling

• Unauthorized Entry of a Place of Business

• Unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure

• Criminal damage to a critical infrastructure

• Entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden

 

If you are in need of a DWI/DUI, criminal defense, expungement, or personal injury lawyer, please contact Gaynell Williams today at 504-302-2462 for an appointment so that an aggressive criminal and personal injury lawyer who will be committed to your case can assist you today. Evenings and weekend sessions are available by appointment. We will work around your schedule.