Virginia Breaking and Entering

A Virginia Breaking and Entering occurs by entering another person’s property with the intent to commit a crime.  An offender can be convicted of a Virginia Breaking and Entering charge for entering property at night, breaking and entering property during the day or night, entering and hiding, or entering a business or other public place.  A Virginia Breaking and Entering is a very serious felony and can be punished with up to life in prison.

Proof of Virginia Breaking and Entering

To convict an offender of a Virginia Breaking and Entering, the Commonwealth must prove that the offender entered someone else’s property with criminal intent.  This can be proven with evidence of entering at night, breaking and entering at any time, entering and hiding, or merely entering a public place with criminal intent.

A breaking is using any amount of force to gain entry into a structure.  Entry is any intrusion into the interior space of a structure.

Virginia Breaking and Entering Charges

There are a number of Virginia Breaking and Entering charges, discussed below.

Burglary

A Virginia Burglary (Va. Code §18.2-89) is breaking and entering into the dwelling house of another at night with the intent to commit a larceny or felony therein.  A Burglary in Virginia occurs when entry is made with felonious intent.  A Burglary in Virginia is a Class 3 felony, punished with 5-20 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000.  If the offender was armed with a deadly weapon, the offense can be punished with a minimum of 20 years up to life in prison.

For more information on a Virginia Burglary, click here.

Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit Murder, Rape, Robbery or Arson

A Virginia Breaking and Entering charge under Va. Code §18.2-90 criminalizes entering another person’s property to commit a Murder, Rape, Robbery, or Arson.  This form of Breaking and Entering can be committed by entering at night, breaking and entering during the day or night, entering and hiding, or entering a business or other public place with the intent to commit one of the listed crimes.  This offense is a Class 3 felony, punished with 5-20 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000.  If the offender was armed with a deadly weapon, the offender faces a minimum of 20 years up to life in prison.

For more information on a Virginia Breaking and Entering charge under Va. Code §18.2-90, click here.

Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit Felony, Larceny, or Assault and Battery

A Virginia Breaking and Entering under Va. Code §18.2-91 criminalizes entering another person’s property with the intent to commit a felony (other than those listed in Va. Code §18.2-90), Larceny, or Assault and Battery.  This form of Breaking and Entering can be committed by entering at night, breaking and entering during the day or night, entering and hiding, or entering a business or other place open to the public with intent to commit one of the listed crimes.  This offense is punished with up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.  If the offender was armed with a deadly weapon, the offender faces up to life in prison.

For more information on a Virginia Breaking and Entering involving an intent to commit a Felony, Larceny, or Assault and Battery, click here.

Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit Misdemeanor

A Virginia Breaking and Entering committed with the intent to commit a misdemeanor (other than Assault and Battery or Trespass) is criminalized under Va. Code §18.2-92.  This crime is committed by breaking and entering an occupied dwelling house during the day or night.  This offense is a Class 6 felony, punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.  If the offender was armed with a deadly weapon, the offender can be punished with a minimum of 20 years up to life in prison.

For more information on a Virginia Breaking and Entering involving an Intent to Commit a Misdemeanor, click here.

Bank Burglary

A Virginia Bank Burglary is entering a banking house during the day or night while armed with a deadly weapon to commit larceny of money, notes, bonds, or securities.  A Virginia Bank Burglary is a Class 2 felony, punished with 20 years up to life in prison.

For more information on a Virginia Bank Burglary, click here.

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