When a person unlawfully enters a structure with intent to commit a crime inside, which offense is it?

The situation described involves a person unlawfully entering a structure with the intent to commit a crime once inside. This definition aligns directly with the legal definition of burglary. In many jurisdictions, burglary is characterized by both the unlawful entry into a building or structure and the intention to commit a crime within it, such as theft or assault.

Burglary does not require that the crime be completed; the intent to commit it at the time of entry is sufficient for this offense. This is a critical aspect that distinguishes it from other related crimes. For instance, robbery involves taking property from a person with the use of force or intimidation and does not pertain to merely entering a structure unlawfully with intent.

Trespassing typically involves entering someone's property without permission but does not necessarily involve an intent to commit a crime, which is a crucial element in the definition of burglary. Home invasion, while similar, usually refers specifically to the unlawful entry into a person's home with the intent to commit a crime, often including the aspect of force or threat against the occupants, which adds further elements not present in the basic definition of burglary.

In the context of the question, the intent to commit a crime upon unlawful entry clearly aligns with the definition of burglary, making it the