How New Jersey Statutes Define Burglary

New Jersey statutes specify two different ways that a person can be guilty of burglary. The first way is for the person to enter a research facility or structure, or a separately secured or occupied portion thereof. This obviously does not apply where the person had some legally recognized right to enter that structure. Similarly, if the research facility or structure was at the time open to the public, his entry, again, would not constitute burglary.

The second way to commit burglary is for a person to surreptitiously remain in a research facility, structure. or a separately secured or occupied portion knowing that he had no legally recognized right to do so. Regardless of whether it is the first way or the second, New Jersey law makes the person guilty of burglary only if, at the time he entered or remained, it was his intention to commit an offense inside.

How New Jersey Statutes Classify Burglary

“Ordinary” burglary is a crime of the third degree. However, New Jersey elevates the seriousness of burglary to the second degree under some circumstances. Those circumstances are when, in the course of committing the burglary, that person:

1. Purposely, knowingly or recklessly inflicts, attempts to inflict or threatens to inflict bodily injury on anyone; or

2. Is armed with or displays what appears to be explosives or a deadly weapon.

More Definitions Concerning Burglary in New Jersey

New Jersey's definition of research facility is insane. It includes any building, laboratory, institution, organization, or school engaged in research, testing, educational or experimental activities, or any commercial or academic enterprise that uses warm-blooded or cold-blooded animals for food or fiber production, agriculture, research, testing, experimentation, or education. A research facility includes, but is not limited to, any enclosure, separately secured yard, pad, pond, vehicle, building structure or premises or separately secured portion thereof.

Structure includes any building, room, ship, vessel, car, vehicle, or airplane. It also means any place adapted for overnight accommodation of persons or for carrying on business therein regardless of whether person is actually present.

“Purpose to commit an offense” means that the defendant intended to commit some unlawful act inside the structure or research facility.

Discussion of Bodily Injury, as it Relates to Burglary, in New Jersey

As already mentioned, New Jersey specifies circumstances that will elevate burglary from a third degree crime to a second degree crime. One of those circumstances is when a burglar recklessly inflicts bodily injury upon a victim. New Jersey defines “bodily injury” to mean physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.

Legal Mumbo Jumbo Concerning “Possession”

Still another circumstance that elevates burglary from third to second degree is when the burglar is armed with or displays what appears to be an explosives or a deadly weapon. In order for a person to be armed with or display what appears to be explosives or a deadly weapon, he must first be in possession of them. New Jersey law concerning what constitutes “possess” is quite involved. We explain that law in detail elsewhere on this site.

Criminal Lawyers in New Jersey™ Can Help

Allan Marain and Edward J. Byrne are New Jersey burglary lawyers. They have each successfully represented countless persons charged with burglary. Charges have alleged burglary of homes, burglary of cars, burglary of stores, burglary of offices, burglary of schools. Do their clients avoid convictions in every single case? Of course not. However, their extensive training and experience give burglary clients a huge advantage. Their representation explores available issues. It probes for weak spots in the prosecutor's case. It enables them to reduce or minimize consequences of burglary charges and, in a decent number of cases, obtain dismissals and acquittals. Call them to review your situation. Or click the Case Evaluation button at the top of this page. They talk to you in plain English, not this legal mumbo jumbo. Call them!

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