Burglary is classified primarily as what kind of crime?

Burglary is primarily classified as breaking and entering, which involves unlawfully entering a structure with the intent to commit a crime, usually theft, once inside. This definition highlights the critical element of unlawful entry, distinguishing burglary from other crimes. The act of breaking and entering signifies a violation of property rights, demonstrating intent to commit a subsequent offense.

Although burglary often involves theft as the intended crime, the classification as breaking and entering captures the essence of the unlawful entry itself, which is central to the act of burglary. This is why the classification directly pertains to the unauthorized nature of entering a property, rather than the crime committed within that property. In the context of the question, “breaking and entering” reflects the legal definition and characteristics that define burglary more aptly than its association with other crimes.