What is Burglary? A Detailed Overview

Burglary sounds like a simple term, but it has too much depth in it from the legal point of view. Whether you have been a victim or not, this article could be helpful.

We will explain what burglary is along with the degrees of burglary. We will discuss what you can do if you have been a victim of time. Most importantly, we will share how you can prevent burglaries at your place.

What is Burglary?

Burglary involves entering a property unlawfully with the intention of doing a crime. Usually, burglars do it to steal valuable items. However, the intention could be murder or harming someone. Thus, it is not necessary that there could always be stealing of items; there can be other intentions as well.

If a person enters a home or business unlawfully with the intention of committing a crime, it is called Burglary of Habitation. The main thing here is the commercial or residential building.

Degree of Burglary

Burglary is categorized into three degrees, depending on the intensity of the crime. Let’s see what these degrees are.

What is First Degree Burglary?

The first-degree burglary is the most heinous form of all.

In this kind of burglary, the burglars (could be one or more) try to enter the property or any human dwelling with force. They could break the doors or windows. They forcefully enter the house, and the intention for doing so is to commit a crime.

They are also armed with dangerous weapons and tools for breaking in. They could treat the dwellers or harm them. They can also harm a victim who is not part of the crime. In most states, the first degree of burglary is reserved for residential sites.

The punishment for the first-degree crime is quite strict. It could be 25 years in prison with a hefty fine of $30,000 or more. However, it depends on the state you are living in.

What is Second Degree Burglary?

It is the intermediate form of burglary. The criminals unlawfully enter a house or any human dwelling with force or threat. Their intention is to commit a felony.

The burglars could be armed in this case. They could threaten the victims using a weapon. They could injure the victims as well to commit the crime easily.

However, even if the burglar does not harm anyone but carries a weapon for his safety, it’s a second-degree burglary. Secondly, it is reserved for commercial buildings in most states.

The punishment could be 10 years of imprisonment or more. The fine could be around $20,000.

What is Third Degree Burglary?

The third degree of burglary refers to the unlawful entry of a person. The intention could be to commit a misdemeanor (minor wrongdoing).

The punishment is up to 5 years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

Difference of Them

Here’s a quick overview of the different degrees of burglary. However, it could differ from state to state.

What to Do if You've Been a Victim of a Burglary?

Here are a few things that you can do after being a victim of burglary.

Ensure Your Safety

Once you realize a burglary has happened at your place, you should call the police first. Do not enter the building or place to ensure your safety. Wait for the police to come. Otherwise, you might be in trouble or destroy the evidence.

Document the Scene

You can document the scene by taking photos and videos. For instance, you can take photos of the door or window from where the burglars have entered the place. Note the things that have been stolen. But make sure to do it when the police allow you to do so.

Stay Vigilant

Stay vigilant because burglars can be near the place. Call the police and wait. Moreover, the burglars might enter the building again, so be vigilant. Improve the security of the place.

How to Prevent Being Burglary?

You can do a few things to prevent burglary at your place.

Install Security Camera

The best way to prevent a burglary is to install a security camera. Burglars do not dare to enter the place as everything is recorded.

Altas PT Ultra is an excellent option for optimal security. It is a Wi-Fi security camera with a pan-and-tilt to cover a wide area. It records everything in 4K and offers incredible clarity. You can see the facial features and license plates clearly. Even at night, the camera records in true colors using the Reolink ColorX technology.

It’s a battery powered camera, and its battery lasts for 16 months on motion detection. It can also record continuously for four days. So, it is quite reliable even in power outages. It can automatically track the objects and focus on them. You receive real-time alerts on your devices. No matter where you are, you get to know everything about your house, and you can check the live preview.

Use Smart Locks

It’s better to switch to smart locks. If anyone tries to open it or it is left open, you know it through the notification. You can lock or unlock it from any location.

Secure Doors and Windows

Burglars forcefully enter from the windows and doors. Therefore, you should install sensors. There is a wide range of sensors. However, you can go with a magnetic contact sensor that alerts you or triggers an alarm when the door or window is opened. You can also use glass break sensors or vibration sensors to detect burglars if they try to enter by force.

Install an Alarm System

An alarm system alerts you when burglars enter your building or place. You can install motion detectors or cameras at different places. The alarm will be triggered if there is any motion detection or signs of unlawful entry. It will compel burglars to leave immediately.

Maintain Landscaping

Burglars usually hide near plants and in bushes. It’s better to keep your front and back yards clean. Trim bushes so that no one can hide there. The grass should be cut regularly to prevent overgrowth. Moreover, install lights to keep the area well-lit.

Secure Valuables

Even if you have taken every safety measure, you should keep your valuables secure. Create a suitable hidden place that is not easy to find. Secure your valuables there, and it is better to keep them in a safe. Burglars won’t be able to find the hidden place.

Make It Look Like Someone’s Home

Burglars prefer those places where there is no one. So, you can make it look like someone is at home.

You can install some smart lights to control them from different locations. Similarly, there can be smart curtains as well. You can also leave a small radio or TV open to have some background noise.

When you are away, you can hire someone to maintain your grass and bushes properly. It’s a sign that someone is living in the house.

What is the Difference Between Robbery and Burglary?

Burglary means entering a house or dwelling with force or threat. However, the building could be empty as well. It does not involve direct confrontation with the victim. For instance, entering a house when no one is there to steal valuable items.

On the other hand, robbery involves confrontation. The robbers threaten the victim and try to steal something or commit a crime with force. Keep in mind that they may or may not be armed. For instance, snatching mobile phones by force with or without a weapon.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between burglary and breaking in?

There is no difference between burglary and breaking in. Both mean the same thing. Burglary involves breaking in.

2. What type of crime is burglary?

Burglary is a type of property crime. Burglars enter a property unlawfully with the intention of a crime.

Conclusion

Robbery is entering a place with force and intent of crime. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, it is classified into various degrees. We have explained the details of the robbery and what you should do if you are the victim. We have also discussed how you can prevent robbery from happening. Careful safety measures could help prevent robberies.