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Burglary, also called breaking and entering (B&E) [1] and housebreaking, [2] [3] is the act of illegally entering a building or other areas without permission, typically with the intention of committing a further criminal offence. Usually that offence is theft, larceny, robbery, or murder, but most jurisdictions include others within the ambit of burglary. To commit burglary is to burgle, [4] a term back-formed from the word burglar, or to burglarize. [5] [4]
Sir Edward Coke (1552–1634) explains at the start of Chapter 14 in the third part of Institutes of the Lawes of England (pub. 1644), that the word Burglar ("or the person that committeth burglary"), is derived from the words burgh and laron, meaning house-thieves. A note indicates he relies on the Brooke's case for this definition.
According to one textbook, the etymology originates from Anglo-Saxon or Old English, one of the Germanic languages. (Perhaps paraphrasing Sir Edward Coke:) "The word burglar comes from the two German words burg, meaning "house", and laron, meaning "thief" (literally "house thief")." [6]
Another suggested etymology is from the later Latin word burgare, "to break open" or "to commit burglary", from burgus , meaning "fortress" or "castle", with the word then passing through French and Middle English, with influence from the Latin latro, "thief". [7] The British verb "burgle" is a late back-formation. [8]
Ancient references to breaking into a house can be found in the Code of Hammurabi (no. 21 [9] ) and the Torah (Exodus 22:2 [10] ).
Sir Edward Coke, in chapter 14 of the third part of the Institutes of the Lawes of England , describes the felony of Burglary and explains the various elements of the offence. He distinguished this from housebreaking because the night aggravated the offence since the night time was when man was at rest. He also described the night as the time when the countenance of a man could not be discerned.
In Pleas of the Crown. A Methodical Summary, Sir Matthew Hale classifies Burglary and Arson as offences "against the dwelling or habitation".
In chapter 16 of the fourth book of the Commentaries on the Laws of England, Sir William Blackstone observes that Burglary "... has always been looked on as a very heinous offence: not only because of the abundant terror that it naturally carries with it, but also as it is a forcible invasion of that right of habitation..."
During the 19th Century, English politicians turned their minds to codifying English law. In 1826, Sir Robert Peel was able to achieve some long advocated reforms by codifying offences concerning larceny and other property offences as well as offences against the person. [11] [12] Further reforms followed in 1861. Colonial legislatures generally adopted the English reforms. However, while further Criminal Code reforms failed to progress through the English parliament during the 1880s, other colonies, including Canada, India, New Zealand and various Australian states codified their criminal law. [13]
At common law, burglary was defined[ dubious – discuss ][ when? ] by Sir Matthew Hale [ further explanation needed ] as:[ citation needed ]
The breaking and entering the house of another in the night time, with intent to commit a felony therein, whether the felony be actually committed or not. [14] [15] [16]
The common-law elements of burglary often vary between jurisdictions. The common-law definition has been expanded in most jurisdictions, such that the building need not be a dwelling or even a building in the conventional sense, physical breaking is not necessary, the entry does not need to occur at night, and the intent may be to commit any felony or theft. [19]
In Canada, breaking is prohibited by section 348 of the Criminal Code. It is an indictable offense when committed in residence, and otherwise a hybrid offense. Breaking and Entering is defined as breaking into a place with intent to commit another indictable offense (including, but not limited to theft). The crime is commonly referred to in Canada as breaking and entering, which in turn is often shortened to B and E. [20] [21]
There is no crime of burglary as such in Finland. In the case of breaking and entering, the Finnish penal code states that
A person who unlawfully
(1) enters domestic premises by force, stealth or deception, or hides or stays in
such premises [...]
shall be sentenced for invasion of domestic premises to a fine or to imprisonment for at most six months. [22]
However, if theft is committed during unlawful entering, then a person is guilty of theft or aggravated theft depending on the circumstances of the felony.
Aggravated theft:
(1) If in the theft
- (5) the offender breaks into an occupied residence,
and the theft is aggravated also when assessed as a whole, the offender shall be sentenced for aggravated theft to imprisonment for at least four months and at most four years. [22]
In New Zealand, burglary is a statute offence under section 231 of the Crimes Act 1961. Originally this was a codification of the common law offence, though from October 2004 the break element was removed from the definition and entry into the building (or ship), or a part of it, now only needed to be unauthorised. The definition of a building is very broad to cover all forms of dwelling, including an enclosed yard. Unauthorised entry onto agricultural land with intent to commit an imprisonable offence (section 231A) was added in March 2019 as a burglary type offence.
In Sweden, burglary does not exist as an offence in itself; instead, there are two available offences. If a person simply breaks into any premise, they are technically guilty of either unlawful intrusion (olaga intrång) or breach of domiciliary peace (hemfridsbrott), depending on the premise in question. Breach of domiciliary peace is applicable only when people "unlawfully intrude or remain where others have their living quarters". [23] The only punishments available for any of these offences are fines, unless the offences are considered gross. In such cases, the maximum punishment is two years' imprisonment.
However, if the person who has forced themself into a house steals anything ("takes what belongs to another with intent to acquire it"), they are guilty of (ordinary) theft (stöld). However, the section regarding gross theft (Chapter 6, 4s of the Penal Code, grov stöld) states "in assessing whether the crime is gross, special consideration shall be given to whether the unlawful appropriation took place after intrusion into a dwelling." [23] For theft, the punishment is imprisonment of at most two years, while gross theft carries a punishment of between six months and six years.
Burglary is defined by section 9 of the Theft Act 1968, which describes two variants: [24]
The offence is defined in similar terms to England and Wales by the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969. [27]
Under Scots law, the crime of burglary does not exist. Instead theft by housebreaking covers theft where the security of the building is overcome. [28] It does not include any other aspect of burglary found in England and Wales. It is a crime usually prosecuted under solemn procedure in a superior court. Another common law crime still used is Hamesuken, which covers forced entry into a building where a serious assault on the occupant takes place. Common law crimes in Scotland are gradually being replaced by statutes.
In the United States, burglary is prosecuted as a felony or misdemeanor and involves trespassing and theft, entering a building or automobile, or loitering unlawfully with intent to commit any crime, not necessarily a theft – for example, vandalism. Even if nothing is stolen in a burglary, the act is a statutory offense. Buildings can include hangars, sheds, barns, and coops; burglary of boats, aircraft, trucks, military equipment, and railway cars is possible. Burglary may be an element in crimes involving rape, arson, kidnapping, identity theft, or violation of civil rights; indeed, the "plumbers" of the Watergate scandal were technically burglars. Any entry into the building or automobile of another with the intent to commit a crime, even if the entry would otherwise be permitted for lawful purposes, may constitute burglary on the theory that the permission to enter is only extended for lawful purposes (for example, a shoplifter may be prosecuted for burglary in addition to theft, for entering a shop with the intent to steal). As with all legal definitions in the U.S., the foregoing description may not be applicable in every jurisdiction, since there are 50 separate state criminal codes, plus federal and territorial codes in force.
Commission of a burglary with the intention or result of confronting persons on the premises may constitute an aggravated offense known as "home invasion". [29] Taking or attempting to take property by force or threat of force from persons on the premises also constitutes the offense of robbery.
In some states, a burglary committed during the hours of daylight is technically not burglary, but housebreaking. [30] In many jurisdictions in the U.S., burglary is punished more severely than housebreaking. In California, for example, burglary was punished as burglary in the first degree, while housebreaking was punished as burglary in the second degree. California now distinguishes between entry into a residence and into a commercial building, with the burglary of a residence bearing heavier punishment.
In states that continue to punish burglary more severely than housebreaking twilight, night is traditionally defined as hours between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
There is some recent scholarly treatment of burglaries in American law as inchoate crimes, but this is in dispute. Some academics[ who? ] consider burglary an inchoate crime. [31] Others[ who? ] say that because the intrusion itself is harmful, this justifies punishment even when no further crime is committed.
Burglary, as a preliminary step to another crime, can be seen as an inchoate, or incomplete, offense. As it disrupts the security of persons in their homes and in regard to their personal property, however, it is complete as soon as the intrusion is made. This dual nature is at the heart of a debate about whether the crime of burglary ought to be abolished and its elements covered by attempt or aggravating circumstances to other crimes—or retained, and the grading schemes reformed to reflect the seriousness of individual offenses. [32]
Possession of burglars' tools, in jurisdictions that make this an offense, has also been viewed as an inchoate crime: [33]
In effect piling an inchoate crime onto an inchoate crime, the possession of burglary tools with the intent to use them in a burglary is a serious offense, a felony in some jurisdictions. Gloves that defendants were trying to shake off as they ran from the site of a burglary were identified as burglar's tools in Green v. State (Fla. App. 1991). [32]
Under Florida State Statutes, "burglary" occurs when a person "enter[s] a dwelling, a structure, or a conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the defendant is licensed or invited to enter." [34] Depending on the circumstances of the crime, burglary can be classified as third, second, first-degree, or life felonies, [35] with maximum sentences of five years, fifteen years, thirty years, and life, respectively. [36] The minimum sentences are probation, [37] 21 months, [38] and 124 1/2 months, [39] except that if the person had a gun, a judge uses the 10-20-Life Law, 10 years on anyone convicted of committing or attempting to commit any of the above felonies (with certain exceptions), while armed with a firearm or destructive device. If a firearm was discharged, 20 years. If a bullet injures or kills someone, 25 years.
A person commits the offense of burglary when, without authority and with the intent to commit a felony or theft therein, he enters or remains within the dwelling house of another or any building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, or other such structure designed for use as the dwelling of another or enters or remains within any other building, railroad car, aircraft, or any room or any part thereof. A person convicted of the offense of burglary, for the first such offense, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 20 years. For the purposes of this Code section, the term "railroad car" shall also include trailers on flatcars, containers on flatcars, trailers on railroad property, or containers on railroad property. O.C.G.A. § 16-7-1.
Burglary and the intended crime, if carried out, are treated as separate offenses. Burglary is a felony, even when the intended crime is a misdemeanor, and the intent to commit the crime can occur when one "enters or remains unlawfully" in the building, expanding the common-law definition. It has three degrees. Third-degree burglary is the broadest, and applies to any building or other premises. Second-degree burglary retains the common-law element of a dwelling, and first-degree burglary requires that the accused be in a dwelling and armed with a weapon or have intent to cause injury. [40] A related offense, criminal trespass, covers unlawful entry to buildings or premises without the intent to commit a crime, and is a misdemeanor or, in the third degree, a violation. [41] Possession of burglar's tools, with the intent to use them to commit burglary or theft, is a misdemeanor. [42]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts uses the term "burglary" to refer to a night-time breaking and entering of a dwelling with the intent to commit a felony. Burglary is a felony punishable by not more than twenty years; should the burglar enter with a dangerous weapon, they may be imprisoned for life. [43] Unlawful entries of a structure other than a dwelling are labeled "breaking and entering" and punishments vary according to structure. [44]
In Maryland, under title 6, subtitle 2 of the criminal law code, the crime of burglary is divided into four degrees. The first three degrees are felonies, while fourth-degree burglary is a misdemeanor. [45] [46] [47] [48] Breaking and entering into a dwelling with intent to commit theft or a crime of violence is first-degree burglary. Breaking and entering into a "storehouse" (a structure other than a dwelling, also including watercraft, aircraft, railroad cars, and vessels) with intent to commit theft, arson, or a crime of violence is second-degree burglary. Third-degree burglary is defined as breaking and entering into a dwelling with intent to commit a crime.
Simple breaking and entering into a dwelling or storehouse without specific intent to commit an additional crime is fourth-degree burglary. This degree also includes two other offenses that do not have breaking and entering as an element: Being in or on the yard, garden, or other property of a storehouse or dwelling with the intent to commit theft, or possession of burglar's tools with the intent to use them in a burglary offense.
In the criminal code of New Hampshire, "A person is guilty of burglary if they enter a building or occupied structure, or separately secured or occupied section thereof, with purpose to commit a crime therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the actor is licensed or privileged to enter." [49]
Under the New York Penal Law, burglary is always a felony, even in third degree. [50] It is more serious if the perpetrator uses what appears to be a dangerous weapon or enters a dwelling. [51] [52]
In Pennsylvania, it is a defense to prosecution if the building or structure in question is rendered abandoned. [53]
In Virginia, there are degrees of burglary, described as "Common Law Burglary" and "Statutory Burglary".
Common Law Burglary is defined as: if any people break and enter the dwelling of another, in the nighttime, with intent to commit a felony or any larceny (theft < $500) therein, shall be guilty of burglary, punishable as a class 3 felony; provided, however, that if such people was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, they shall be guilty of a class 2 felony.
Statutory Burglary is defined as: If any people in the nighttime enter without breaking, or in the daytime break and enter or enter and conceal themselves in a dwelling house or an adjoining, occupied outhouse, or, in the nighttime enter without breaking or at any time break and enter or enter and conceal themselves in any office, shop, manufactured home, storehouse, warehouse, banking house, church or other house, or any ship, vessel or river craft, or any railroad car, or any automobile, truck, or trailer, if such automobile, truck or trailer is used as a dwelling or place of human habitation, with intent to commit murder, rape, robbery or arson in violation of Virginia State code section 18.2–77, 18.2–79, or 18.2–80, shall be deemed guilty of statutory burglary, which offense shall be a class 3 felony. However, if such people were armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, they shall be guilty of a class 2 felony.
Additionally, if any people commit any of the acts mentioned in the VA state code section 18.2–90 with intent to commit larceny, or any felony other than murder, rape, robbery or arson in violation of VA state code section 18.2–77, 18.2–79, or 18.2–80, or if any people commit any acts mentioned in 18.2–89 or 18.2–90 with intent to commit assault and battery, shall be guilty of statutory burglary, punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than one or more than twenty years, or, in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, be confined in jail for a period not exceeding twelve months or fined not more than $2,500, either or both. However, if the people were armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, they shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.
Finally, if any people break and enter a dwelling house while said dwelling is occupied, either in the day or night time, with intent to commit any misdemeanor except assault and battery or trespass (which falls under the previous paragraph), shall be guilty of a class 6 felony. However, if the people were armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, they shall be guilty of a class 2 felony.
In Wisconsin, burglary is committed by one who forcibly enters a building without permission and with intent to steal or to commit another felony. Burglary may also be committed by entry to a locked truck, car or trailer or a ship. [54] The crime of burglary is treated as being more serious if the burglar is armed with a dangerous weapon when the burglary is committed or arms him/herself during the commission of the burglary. [55]
Protection of property against burglars can include defenses such as anti-climb paint, safety and security window film, lock and key, and burglar alarms. Dogs of any size can warn residents through loud barking, with larger dogs or multiple medium-to-small dogs posing a threat of severe injury to an intruder. [56] Self-defense is also an option in some jurisdictions. [57]
The March 2015 version (1.0) of the International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes (ICCS) [58] classifies burglary under section 0501, a subsection of section 05 "Act against property only" (Category 05 at level 1).
In the US, the FBI Uniform Crime Reports classify burglary as a distinct Part 1 index crime.
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Offence Classification (ANZSOC) [59] has a separate top level division (Division 07) for "Unlawful entry with intent/burglary, break and enter".
The UNODC notes "that when using the figures, any cross-national comparisons should be conducted with caution because of the differences that exist between the legal definitions of offences in countries, or the different methods of offence counting and recording". Also, not every crime is reported and the rate of reported crimes may vary by countries.
Evidence from the United States suggests that burglary has declined steadily since 1980 [60] which is mainly attributed to improved household security. [60]
Country | Reported annual burglaries per 100,000 [61] | Year |
---|---|---|
Albania | 21.4 | 2022 |
Algeria | 43.8 | 2015 |
Andorra | 111.5 | 2015 |
Antigua and Barbuda | 77.9 | 2022 |
Armenia | 115.2 | 2018 |
Australia | 577.6 | 2022 |
Austria | 554.7 | 2022 |
Azerbaijan | 45.5 | 2020 |
Bahamas | 23.9 | 2022 |
Bahrain | 15.7 | 2008 |
Bangladesh | 2.4 | 2006 |
Barbados | 248.5 | 2022 |
Belarus | 313.2 | 2006 |
Belgium | 408.9 | 2020 |
Belize | 137.7 | 2022 |
Bermuda | 1187.6 | 2016 |
Bhutan | 30.8 | 2020 |
Bolivia | 0.3 | 2018 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 118.1 | 2022 |
Botswana | 72.1 | 2020 |
Brazil | 16.7 | 2020 |
Brunei Darussalam | 147.5 | 2006 |
Bulgaria | 64.0 | 2022 |
Cabo Verde | 855.6 | 2018 |
Cameroon | 13.5 | 2015 |
Canada | 345.6 | 2022 |
Chile | 461.1 | 2022 |
Colombia | 68.9 | 2022 |
Costa Rica | 776.0 | 2022 |
Croatia | 177.6 | 2022 |
Cyprus | 90.1 | 2022 |
Czech Republic | 321.6 | 2022 |
Denmark | 537.0 | 2022 |
Djibouti | 3.1 | 2018 |
Dominica | 569.2 | 2022 |
Dominican Republic | 133.2 | 2020 |
East Timor | 1.5 | 2015 |
Ecuador | 312.4 | 2022 |
Egypt | 3.0 | 2011 |
El Salvador | 36.8 | 2022 |
England and Wales | 446.8 | 2021 |
Eswatini | 783.7 | 2004 |
Finland | 104.9 | 2022 |
France | 458.4 | 2022 |
Georgia | 42.5 | 2014 |
Germany | 312.6 | 2022 |
Greece | 137.0 | 2022 |
Grenada | 465.6 | 2022 |
Guatemala | 0.6 | 2020 |
Guinea | 12.2 | 2007 |
Guyana | 13.7 | 2022 |
Honduras | 13.0 | 2022 |
Hong Kong | 11.8 | 2022 |
Hungary | 290.5 | 2015 |
Iceland | 291.2 | 2022 |
India | 8.1 | 2013 |
Indonesia | 11.8 | 2018 |
Iraq (Central) | 0.6 | 2014 |
Ireland | 182.8 | 2022 |
Israel | 155.3 | 2022 |
Italy | 226.6 | 2022 |
Ivory Coast | 38.8 | 2008 |
Jamaica | 6.8 | 2022 |
Japan | 29.5 | 2022 |
Jordan | 0.0 | 2012 |
Kazakhstan | 344.9 | 2011 |
Kenya | 2.9 | 2022 |
Kosovo | 229.8 | 2020 |
Kyrgyzstan | 28.5 | 2020 |
Latvia | 150.2 | 2022 |
Lesotho | 233.4 | 2009 |
Liechtenstein | 350.9 | 2022 |
Lithuania | 29.5 | 2022 |
Luxembourg | 631.6 | 2022 |
Macau | 2.9 | 2022 |
Madagascar | 4.3 | 2015 |
Malaysia | 103.0 | 2006 |
Maldives | 32.4 | 2013 |
Malta | 168.0 | 2022 |
Mauritius | 100.7 | 2011 |
Mexico | 46.0 | 2022 |
Moldova | 183.4 | 2014 |
Monaco | 37.8 | 2016 |
Mongolia | 138.1 | 2020 |
Montenegro | 73.7 | 2022 |
Morocco | 36.2 | 2022 |
Mozambique | 11.0 | 2009 |
Myanmar | 0.1 | 2022 |
Nepal | 0.4 | 2016 |
Netherlands | 212.5 | 2022 |
New Zealand | 1150.0 | 2020 |
Nigeria | 1.4 | 2013 |
North Macedonia | 622.6 | 2014 |
Northern Ireland | 191.2 | 2022 |
Norway | 289.8 | 2014 |
Oman | 0.0 | 2022 |
Pakistan | 9.7 | 2022 |
Palestine | 0.4 | 2022 |
Panama | 116.3 | 2020 |
Paraguay | 473.0 | 2022 |
Peru | 13.8 | 2009 |
Poland | 176.3 | 2022 |
Portugal | 164.9 | 2022 |
Puerto Rico | 77.7 | 2022 |
Qatar | 51.8 | 2004 |
Romania | 129.5 | 2022 |
Russia | 95.2 | 2020 |
Rwanda | 21.8 | 2012 |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | 375.6 | 2022 |
Saint Lucia | 374.2 | 2022 |
Scotland | 160.1 | 2022 |
Senegal | 0.3 | 2016 |
Serbia | 131.4 | 2022 |
Sierra Leone | 10.3 | 2008 |
Singapore | 1.9 | 2022 |
Slovakia | 62.4 | 2022 |
Slovenia | 264.4 | 2022 |
Solomon Islands | 73.8 | 2008 |
South Korea | 37.8 | 2022 |
Spain | 254.5 | 2022 |
Sri Lanka | 37.5 | 2018 |
St. Vincent and Grenadines | 521.4 | 2022 |
Suriname | 471.7 | 2022 |
Sweden | 657.2 | 2022 |
Switzerland | 408.8 | 2022 |
Syria | 8.6 | 2018 |
Tajikistan | 7.9 | 2011 |
Tanzania | 25.8 | 2015 |
Thailand | 4.4 | 2016 |
Trinidad and Tobago | 114.3 | 2020 |
Turkey | 126.0 | 2022 |
Uganda | 19.9 | 2016 |
Ukraine | 61.6 | 2020 |
United Arab Emirates | 4.6 | 2022 |
United States of America | 271.1 | 2022 |
Uruguay | 252.6 | 2004 |
Vatican City | 0.0 | 2022 |
Zimbabwe | 375.7 | 2008 |
In the terminology of law, an assault is the act of causing physical harm or unwanted physical contact to another person, or, in some legal definitions, the threat or attempt to do so. It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may result in criminal prosecution, civil liability, or both. Additionally, assault is a criminal act in which a person intentionally causes fear of physical harm or offensive contact to another person. Assault can be committed with or without a weapon and can range from physical violence to threats of violence. Assault is frequently referred to as an attempt to commit battery, which is the deliberate use of physical force against another person. The deliberate inflicting of fear, apprehension, or terror is another definition of assault that can be found in several legal systems. Depending on the severity of the offense, assault may result in a fine, imprisonment, or even death.
Theft is the act of taking another person's property or services without that person's permission or consent with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it. The word theft is also used as a synonym or informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as larceny, robbery, embezzlement, extortion, blackmail, or receiving stolen property. In some jurisdictions, theft is considered to be synonymous with larceny, while in others, theft is defined more narrowly. A person who engages in theft is known as a thief.
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take anything of value by force, threat of force, or by use of fear. According to common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear; that is, it is a larceny or theft accomplished by an assault. Precise definitions of the offence may vary between jurisdictions. Robbery is differentiated from other forms of theft by its inherently violent nature ; whereas many lesser forms of theft are punished as misdemeanors, robbery is always a felony in jurisdictions that distinguish between the two. Under English law, most forms of theft are triable either way, whereas robbery is triable only on indictment. The word "rob" came via French from Late Latin words of Germanic origin, from Common Germanic raub "theft".
Larceny is a crime involving the unlawful taking or theft of the personal property of another person or business. It was an offence under the common law of England and became an offence in jurisdictions which incorporated the common law of England into their own law, where in many cases it remains in force.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to criminal justice:
Arson is the act of willfully and deliberately setting fire to or charring property. Although the act of arson typically involves buildings, the term can also refer to the intentional burning of other things, such as motor vehicles, watercraft, or forests. The crime is typically classified as a felony, with instances involving risk to human life or property carrying a stricter penalty. Arson that results in death can be further prosecuted as manslaughter or murder. A common motive for arson is to commit insurance fraud. In such cases, a person destroys their own property by burning it and then lies about the cause in order to collect against their insurance policy.
An inchoate offense, preliminary crime, inchoate crime or incomplete crime is a crime of preparing for or seeking to commit another crime. The most common example of an inchoate offense is "attempt". "Inchoate offense" has been defined as the following: "Conduct deemed criminal without actual harm being done, provided that the harm that would have occurred is one the law tries to prevent."
A citizen's arrest is an arrest made by a private citizen – a person who is not acting as a sworn law-enforcement official. In common law jurisdictions, the practice dates back to medieval England and the English common law, in which sheriffs encouraged ordinary citizens to help apprehend law breakers.
Sacrilege is the violation or injurious treatment of a sacred object, site or person. This can take the form of irreverence to sacred persons, places, and things. When the sacrilegious offence is verbal, it is called blasphemy, and when physical, it is often called desecration. In a more general sense, any transgression against what is seen as the virtue of religion would be a sacrilege, and so is coming near a sacred site without permission.
The Theft Act 1968 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It creates a number of offences against property in England and Wales.
False arrest, unlawful arrest or wrongful arrest is a common law tort, where a plaintiff alleges they were held in custody without probable cause, or without an order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. Although it is possible to sue law enforcement officials for false arrest, the usual defendants in such cases are private security firms.
An attempt to commit a crime occurs if a criminal has an intent to commit a crime and takes a substantial step toward completing the crime, but for reasons not intended by the criminal, the final resulting crime does not occur. Attempt to commit a particular crime is a crime, usually considered to be of the same or lesser gravity as the particular crime attempted. Attempt is a type of inchoate crime, a crime that is not fully developed. The crime of attempt has two elements, intent and some conduct toward completion of the crime.
The Pakistan Penal Code, abbreviated as PPC, is a penal code for all offences charged in Pakistan. It was originally prepared by Lord Macaulay with a great consultation in 1860 on behalf of the Government of British India as the Indian Penal Code. After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Pakistan inherited the same code and subsequently after several amendments by different governments, in Pakistan it is now a mixture of Islamic and English Law. Presently, the Pakistan Penal Code is still in effect and can be amended by the Parliament of Pakistan.
Property crime is a category of crime, usually involving private property, that includes, among other crimes, burglary, larceny, theft, motor vehicle theft, arson, shoplifting, and vandalism. Property crime is a crime to obtain money, property, or some other benefit. This may involve force, or the threat of force, in cases like robbery or extortion. Since these crimes are committed in order to enrich the perpetrator they are considered property crimes. Crimes against property are divided into two groups: destroyed property and stolen property. When property is destroyed, it could be called arson or vandalism. Examples of the act of stealing property is robbery or embezzlement.
Taylor v. United States, 495 U.S. 575 (1990), was a U.S. Supreme Court decision that filled in an important gap in the federal criminal law of sentencing. The federal criminal code does not contain a definition of many crimes, including burglary, the crime at issue in this case. Yet sentencing enhancements applicable to federal crimes allow for the enhancement of a defendant's sentence if he has been convicted of prior felonies. The Court addressed in this case how "burglary" should be defined for purposes of such sentencing enhancements when the federal criminal code contained no definition of "burglary." The approach the Court adopted in this case has guided the lower federal courts in interpreting other provisions of the criminal code that also refer to generic crimes not otherwise defined in federal law.
James v. United States, 550 U.S. 192 (2007), is a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that held that attempted burglary could serve as a predicate felony under the federal Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), which provided that a person convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm with three prior convictions for either serious drug offenses or violent felonies must be sentenced to a mandatory minimum 15-year prison term.
In the United States, each state and territory sets the age of consent either by statute or the common law applies, and there are several federal statutes related to protecting minors from sexual predators. Depending on the jurisdiction, the legal age of consent is between 16 and 18. In some places, civil and criminal laws within the same state conflict with each other.
Burglary is a statutory offence in England and Wales.
The criminal law of the United States is a manifold system of laws and practices that connects crimes and consequences. In comparison, civil law addresses non-criminal disputes. The system varies considerably by jurisdiction, but conforms to the US Constitution. Generally there are two systems of criminal law to which a person maybe subject; the most frequent is state criminal law, and the other is federal law.
The Larceny Act 1861 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It consolidated provisions related to larceny and similar offences from a number of earlier statutes into a single Act. For the most part these provisions were, according to the draftsman of the Act, incorporated with little or no variation in their phraseology. It is one of a group of Acts sometimes referred to as the Criminal Law Consolidation Acts 1861. It was passed with the object of simplifying the law. It is essentially a revised version of an earlier consolidation Act, the Larceny Act 1827 (7 & 8 Geo. 4. c. 29), incorporating subsequent statutes.
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