Burglary Revisit: The offense described as unauthorized entry into a building with intent to commit a crime is which?

• A. Burglary
• B. Larceny
• C. Robbery
• D. Trespass

Answer: (A)

Burglary is defined by two elements: unauthorized entry into a building and intent to commit a crime inside. The emphasis here is on that combination—the entry must be unlawful, and there must be a criminal purpose at the moment of entry. The crime inside can be any felony or theft; it doesn’t have to be completed.

Larceny involves taking someone else’s property and does not require any entry into a building. Robbery centers on taking property from a person through force or threat, again not about an unlawful entry into a building. Trespass covers unauthorized entry or remaining on property but lacks the required intent to commit a crime inside.