Burglary is a crime that is defined differently by the laws of various states in the United States. Usually a crime is defined as a burglary when a person enters another person’s house or place of business without permission, with the intention of committing a crime.
Many people confuse burglary with the crime of robbery, but the two are quite different. A criminal commits a robbery by taking something from a person by force or by threats of violence. A criminal commits a burglary by entering a house or building illegally, even though the criminal makes no contact with any person inside. Thus, a criminal robs a person, but burglarizes a house.
Burglary is a felony (serious crime). It is punishable by imprisonment, usually for up to 20 years.
