What term is used for unlawfully entering a building with intent to commit a crime?

The term that is used for unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit a crime is "burglary." This legal definition emphasizes not just the unauthorized entry but also the specific intent to commit a crime once inside, which can include theft or other offenses. Burglary is considered a more serious offense than simply trespassing, as it involves premeditated criminal intent.

Break and enter refers more generally to the act of physically entering a structure, often by force, and may not specifically account for the intent to commit a crime therein. Although many people might use "breaking and entering" in casual conversation about burglary, from a legal perspective, the comprehensive term for the unlawful intent linked with the act of entering is "burglary."

Trespassing, on the other hand, refers to the unlawful entry onto someone else's property without the intent to commit a crime inside. This indicates that while entry is unauthorized, there is no established intent to engage in further criminal activity.

Theft is solely about stealing property and does not address the act of entering a building unlawfully, which is central to the definition of burglary. Thus, while theft can be a consequence of burglary, it does not encompass the act of entering a structure with intent to commit a