Historical Background and Definitions of Burglary
– Ancient references to breaking into a house in the Code of Hammurabi and the Jewish Bible
– Sir Edward Coke’s description of the felony of burglary and its elements
– Sir Matthew Hale’s classification of burglary and arson as offenses against the dwelling
– Sir William Blackstone’s emphasis on the heinousness of burglary as a forcible invasion of the right of habitation
– English politicians’ codification of property offenses and criminal law reforms in the 19th century
– Common-law definition of burglary by Sir Matthew Hale
– Components of common-law burglary: breaking and entering a house in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony
– Different definitions of burglary in Canada, Finland, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States
Burglary Laws in Different Countries
– Prohibition of breaking and entering in Canada under section 348 of the Criminal Code
– Finland’s treatment of unlawful entering of domestic premises as an invasion of domestic premises
– Statutory offense of burglary in New Zealand under section 231 of the Crimes Act 1961
– Absence of burglary as an offense in Sweden, with unlawful intrusion and breach of domiciliary peace being applicable offenses
– Burglary defined by section 9 of the Theft Act 1968 in the United Kingdom
– Different definitions and classifications of burglary in different states of the United States
Specific Burglary Laws and Punishments in Selected States
– Burglary laws in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin
– Different degrees of burglary based on premises, intent, and use of weapons
– Minimum and maximum sentences for burglary offenses
– Application of the 10-20-Life Law in Florida for burglaries involving firearms
– Distinction between burglary and criminal trespass in Kentucky
– Defense to prosecution if the building or structure is abandoned in Pennsylvania
Subtopics Related to Burglary
– Home invasion as the commission of burglary with intent to confront persons on premises
– Nighttime burglaries and their classification in different states
– Debate on whether burglary should be abolished and elements covered by attempt or aggravating circumstances
– Possession of burglary tools as an inchoate crime
– Inchoate nature of burglary and arguments for and against its classification as a separate offense
Classifications and Statistics on Burglary
– Classification of burglary under different crime classifications such as ICCS, FBI Uniform Crime Reports, and ANZSOC
– Caution in cross-national comparisons of burglary statistics due to differences in legal definitions and reporting methods
– Contribution of improved household security to the decline in burglaries in the United States since 1980Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burglary
