Virginia Burglary and Breaking and Entering

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What is Burglary in Virginia?

Unlike larceny and robbery, the common law crime of burglary in Virginia was considered a crime against the security of one’s home or place of habitation. Common law burglary has been codified in Va. Code § 18.2-89.  The surrounding code sections describe different versions of common law burglary.  The wording of these statutes can be confusing and difficult to decipher.

Penalties for different forms of burglary can vary widely depending on the circumstances.  One constant, however, is that a person who commits a burglary while armed with a deadly weapon at the time of entry is guilty of a Class 2 felony, which  carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $100,000.

Common Law Burglary in Virginia

The crime of burglary requires the following elements: (1) breaking and entering, (2) the dwelling house of another, (3) in the nighttime, (4) with the intent to commit a felony or any larceny therein.  Va. Code § 18.2-89.  A Burglary conviction under § 18.2-89 is a Class 3 felony and carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years, and a fine of up to $100,000.  If the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of entry, it becomes a Class 2 felony, which carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $100,000.

Burglary, Va. Code § 18.2-89

How is Burglary punished in Virginia?

If a person commits these acts with the intent to commit assault and battery, he or she is guilty of statutory burglary punishable by confinement from one to twenty years, or, in the discretion of a judge or jury, of up to twelve months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.  Va. Code § 18.2-191.

What is considered a “dwelling”?

The Burglary statutes do not specifically define “dwelling house.”  Another statute within Chapter 5 of Title 18.2 states that a structure that is not “adjoining a dwelling house, nor under the same roof” as a dwelling house is not part of the dwelling house, “unless some person usually lodges therein at night.”  Va. Code § 18.2-78.  Courts have concluded that there must be some regular habitation in the house to be considered a dwelling house.  If there is any doubt, a detailed fact-based inquiry will be required.

Generally, a person cannot commit burglary in a house he or she lawfully occupies, even if the house is jointly occupied or owned with others.

Note that when it comes to burglary, it does not matter whether or not others are physically present in the house at the time of the burglary.

What is considered “nighttime”?

There is little case law around the “nighttime” element, suggesting this element is not typically disputed.  The Virginia Supreme Court did conclude in one case that where there was evidence the defendant broke and entered possibly as early as 6:00 a.m. and that sunrise on the following morning was at 7:08 a.m., a jury could find the defendant entered the dwelling during the nighttime.  Ryan v. Commonwealth, 219 Va. 439, 446, 247 S.E.2d 698, 703 (1978).

What is considered “breaking”?

“Breaking” in this context does not need to involve a forceful breaking in the way that you may naturally think of the term.  It requires only “the application of some force, slight though it may be, whereby the entrance is [achieved].”  Beck v. Commonwealth, 66 Va. App. 259, 269, 784 S.E.2d 310, 315 (2016).  Such slight force has included, pushing an already-open door further open, and turning a key to unlock a door into a place the person does not have permission to be.

A “breaking” can also occur constructively, such as by fraud or threat.

What is “entering”?

The act of “entering” carries an even lesser standard than breaking.  In Virginia, any intrusion into an interior space can constitute an entering.  What qualifies for entering is important because in Virginia one can be convicted of form of statutory burglary without committing a “breaking.”

In addition, the crime of burglary is complete once entry is made.  A person need not actually commit or attempt to commit any other unlawful act after entry.

What if I didn’t intend to break and enter?

Intent to commit another crime is a crucial element of burglary and is the core difference between burglary and the much lesser crime of trespass.  It is necessary for the prosecution to prove that the defendant had the bad intent at the time of entry.  Such intent can be, and typically is, inferred from a person’s words and actions and the surrounding circumstances.

A number of Virginia cases have supported the conclusion that an “unexplained unauthorized entry permits and inference or presumption that the person had the requisite unlawful intent.”

What is considered a “deadly weapon”?

A person who commits burglary and is armed with a deadly weapon at the time of entering, will face conviction of a Class 2 felony, which carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and up to life, and a fine of up to
$100,000.

“Deadly weapon” is not defined by statute. Courts have stated that a deadly weapon “is an instrument designed and constructed to inflict death or great bodily harm and used in that manner.” More than the intrinsic character of a weapon, it is the manner in which a weapon is used that is the critical factor in determining whether it is “deadly.”  Justiss v. Commonwealth, 61 Va. App. 261, 734 S.E.2d 699 (2012).

What is Statutory Burglary in Virginia?

In Virginia there are multiple Statutory burglary crimes, which basically broaden common law burglary by loosening the elements of time of day, breaking, and the type of structure entered.  For example, statutory burglary can be committed during the day or at night without a breaking, and in structures other than a traditional dwelling.

Statutory Burglary, Intent to Commit Murder, Rape, Robbery or Arson, Va. Code § 18.2-90

Under Va. Code § 18.2-90, any person who in the nighttime enters without breaking or at any time breaks and enters or enters and hides in a dwelling house or store, or any boat or railroad car, or any car, truck or trailer that is used as a place to live, with the intent to commit murder, rape, robbery or arson is guilty of a Class 3 felony.  A Class 3 felony carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years, and a fine of up to $100,000.

If the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of entry, it becomes a Class 2 felony, which carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $100,000.

Statutory Burglary, Intent to Commit Larceny or Other Felony, Va. Code § 18.2-91

Section § 18.2-91 provides that if a person commits an act described in § 18.2-90, but with the intent to commit larceny or a felony that is not murder, rape, robbery, or arson, or if a person commits an act described in § 18.2-89 or § 18.2-90 with the intent to commit assault and battery he or she is guilty of statutory burglary punishable by confinement from 1 to 20 years, or, in the discretion of a judge or jury, up to 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500.

If the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of entry, it is a Class 2 felony, which carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $100,000.

Statutory Burglary, Intent to Commit Other Misdemeanor, Va. Code § 18.2-92

Unlike the previous statutes, § 18.2-92 addresses a burglary by both breaking and entering into a dwelling house, when the person has the intent to commit a misdemeanor (other than assault and battery or trespass).  Like other statutory burglary crimes, under this statute the breaking and entering can occur during the day time.

A conviction under this section is a Class 6 felony, which carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 1 year or more than 5 years, or, in the discretion of the judge or jury, confinement of not more than 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500.

If the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of entry, it is a Class 2 felony, which carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $100,000.

Burglary of a Bank, Va. Code § 18.2-93

Section § 18.2-93 makes it a Class 2 felony to enter (no breaking required) a bank during the day or nighttime, armed with a deadly weapon and with the intent to commit larceny.

A Class 2 felony carries a penalty of imprisonment of not less than 20 years and up to life, and a fine of up to $100,000.

Possession of Burgalrious Tools, Va. Code § 18.2-94

Even without any breaking or entering of any structure, a person can be guilty of a crime if he or she has possession of any tools, implements, or outfit, with the intent to commit burglary, robbery, or larceny.  Notably, mere possession of such burglarious tools by a person who is not a licensed dealer is prima facie evidence of that person’s intent to commit a burglary, robbery, or larceny. Va. Code § 18.2-94.

A conviction of this crime is a Class 5 felony, which is punishable by 1-10 years’ imprisonment, or, in the discretion of the judge or jury, confinement of not more than 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500.

Consult with a Virginia Burglary Attorney

Burglary can be a complicated crime.  The prosecution must prove multiple elements, all beyond a reasonable doubt, in order to convict.  Whether any one of these elements can be proven requires a detailed factual inquiry and analysis.  An attorney can help you identify critical facts that can be used to try to disprove one or more of these elements, and advise you on the best course of action for your case.

Our Alexandria and Fairfax County Criminal Defense Attorneys are prepared to do the work required to best represent you. Contact us today to learn how.