What is a key characteristic of burglary?

Burglary is legally defined as the unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a crime inside, typically theft. A key characteristic of burglary is the presence of unlawful entry, which often includes physical evidence of forced entry, such as broken locks or damaged doors. This element distinguishes burglary from other crimes, such as theft or robbery, where the focus may be on the act of taking property without necessarily entering a structure unlawfully.

In this context, emphasizing unlawful entry underlines the seriousness of the crime, as it involves an intrusion into someone’s private space. This characteristic is crucial for establishing the crime in a legal framework. Without the unlawful entry, the act would not qualify as burglary, which is why this option is the accurate representation of the definition of burglary.