How Much Time Do You Get for Burglary?
Burglary is a serious crime that can have severe consequences, including imprisonment. The amount of time a person can receive for burglary varies depending on the jurisdiction, the severity of the crime, and the individual’s criminal history. In this article, we will explore the laws and penalties surrounding burglary and provide a general idea of how much time a person can expect to receive for this crime.
What is Burglary?
Burglary is the unauthorized entry into a person’s home, apartment, or other structure with the intent to commit a crime, such as theft or vandalism. It is considered a property crime, as opposed to a violent crime like assault or murder. There are different types of burglary, including:
- Residential burglary: This is the most common type of burglary, which involves breaking into a residential property, such as a home or apartment, to steal property or commit other crimes.
- Commercial burglary: This type of burglary involves breaking into a commercial property, such as a store or office building, to steal property or commit other crimes.
- Automated teller machine (ATM) burglary: This type of burglary involves breaking into an ATM to steal cash or other valuables.
- Garage burglary: This type of burglary involves breaking into a garage to steal property or commit other crimes.
How Much Time Do You Get for Burglary?
The amount of time a person can receive for burglary varies depending on the jurisdiction and the severity of the crime. In the United States, burglary is typically considered a felony offense, which means it is punishable by imprisonment. Here are some general guidelines on the penalties for burglary:
- First-degree burglary: This is the most serious type of burglary, which involves breaking into a residential property with the intent to commit a crime, such as theft or violence. The penalty for first-degree burglary can range from 5 to 15 years in prison, depending on the jurisdiction.
- Second-degree burglary: This type of burglary involves breaking into a commercial property or a non-residential property with the intent to commit a crime. The penalty for second-degree burglary can range from 3 to 10 years in prison, depending on the jurisdiction.
- Third-degree burglary: This type of burglary involves breaking into a property with the intent to commit a crime, but the property is not a residential property. The penalty for third-degree burglary can range from 1 to 5 years in prison, depending on the jurisdiction.
Factors That Affect the Sentence
Several factors can affect the sentence a person receives for burglary, including:
- Criminal history: If a person has a prior criminal record, they may receive a longer sentence for burglary.
- Severity of the crime: The more severe the crime, the longer the sentence. For example, if a person breaks into a home and steals valuables, they may receive a longer sentence than if they simply break into a vacant commercial property.
- Intent: If a person’s intent is to commit a more serious crime, such as violence, they may receive a longer sentence than if their intent is to commit a less serious crime, such as theft.
- Property damage: If a person causes significant property damage during the commission of the burglary, they may receive a longer sentence.
Burglary Penalties by State
Here is a breakdown of the burglary penalties by state:
| State | First-Degree Burglary | Second-Degree Burglary | Third-Degree Burglary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| Alaska | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Arizona | 10-20 years | 3-10 years | 1-5 years |
| Arkansas | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| California | 4-8 years | 2-4 years | 1-2 years |
| Colorado | 6-12 years | 2-6 years | 1-3 years |
| Connecticut | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Delaware | 8-20 years | 2-8 years | 1-4 years |
| Florida | 10-20 years | 3-10 years | 1-5 years |
| Georgia | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| Hawaii | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Idaho | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Illinois | 6-30 years | 2-6 years | 1-3 years |
| Indiana | 6-12 years | 2-6 years | 1-3 years |
| Iowa | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Kansas | 6-12 years | 2-6 years | 1-3 years |
| Kentucky | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Louisiana | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| Maine | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Maryland | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| Massachusetts | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Michigan | 6-12 years | 2-6 years | 1-3 years |
| Minnesota | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Mississippi | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| Missouri | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Montana | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Nebraska | 6-12 years | 2-6 years | 1-3 years |
| Nevada | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| New Hampshire | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| New Jersey | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| New Mexico | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| New York | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| North Carolina | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| North Dakota | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Ohio | 6-12 years | 2-6 years | 1-3 years |
| Oklahoma | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Oregon | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Pennsylvania | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Rhode Island | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| South Carolina | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| South Dakota | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Tennessee | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| Texas | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Utah | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Vermont | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Virginia | 10-20 years | 2-10 years | 1-5 years |
| Washington | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| West Virginia | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
| Wisconsin | 6-12 years | 2-6 years | 1-3 years |
| Wyoming | 5-10 years | 2-5 years | 1-3 years |
Conclusion
Burglary is a serious crime that can have severe consequences, including imprisonment. The amount of time a person can receive for burglary varies depending on the jurisdiction, the severity of the crime, and the individual’s criminal history. It is essential to understand the laws and penalties surrounding burglary to avoid committing this crime and to protect yourself and your property from becoming a victim.
