Blog: Burglary

Burglary in California is divided into first degree, or residential burglary, and second degree, or commercial burglary. See Penal Code 460. Burglary is committed when someone unlawfully enters a specified structure with the intent to commit theft or a felony. Residential (first degree) burglary is burglary of: an inhabited dwelling house, an inhabited vessel, floating home, or trailer …

It is not considered “breaking and entering” under the burglary laws of California for a person to enter an unlocked car. However, if a person enters a car through an unlocked door without the owner’s consent, that person could be charged with tampering with a vehicle. California Vehicle Code section 10852 VC states that no …

California burglary law (under Penal Code 459) is divided into “first-degree burglary” and “second-degree burglary.” First-degree burglary is burglary of a residence. Second-degree burglary is the burglary of any other type of structure (including stores and businesses). First-degree (or residential) burglary is always a felony. The potential consequences include a state prison sentence of: two …

The determination as to whether a California burglary offense (under Penal Code 459) gets charged as a felony or a misdemeanor depends on whether the crime is charged as a: first-degree burglary, or a second-degree burglary. First-degree burglary is burglary of a residence and it is always charged as a felony. Second-degree burglary is burglary …

Under California criminal law, a person is guilty of an attempted burglary if he: intends to commit burglary, and he takes some act towards committing the burglary (which can be theft or some other felony). Examples of attempted burglary include: Tom sneaks to the front of his neighbor’s house with the intent to go inside …

Normally, shoplifting merchandise $950 or less is treated as the crime of petty theft in California. Petty theft is a simple misdemeanor carrying only up to 6 months in jail. But police and prosecutors will often try to hit shoplifters with the more serious charge of burglary under Penal Code 459. Burglary is a “wobbler” …