While burglary is commonly thought to be the entering or breaking into a building or residence to steal money or other personal property, a burglary is committed simply by entering into or remaining in a building or residence with the intent to commit a crime. And that crime does not have to involve theft; any felony along with certain misdemeanor offenses such as assault, voyeurism, lewdness and battery will support a burglary conviction. In fact once the entering has occurred, it is not even necessary to commit a crime so long as an intent to commit a crime existed at the time.
Burglary is a 3rd degree felony with punishment of up to five years in prison and a $5,000.00 fine. If the burglary occurs at a home or private residence it automatically becomes a 2nd degree felony with penalties of one to five years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.00. When the burglary involves injury to a victim or the use or threat of use of a dangerous weapon, the offender will be charged with aggravated burglary, a 1st degree felony with punishment of five years to life and a $10,000.00 fine