{"id":388174,"date":"2026-01-13T14:47:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T19:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=388174"},"modified":"2026-01-13T14:34:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T19:34:22","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-burglary-and-theft","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/whats-the-difference-between-burglary-and-theft.html","title":{"rendered":"What’s the Difference Between Burglary and Theft?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What's the Difference Between Burglary and Theft?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Burglary<\/span> and theft are distinct crimes with different legal elements. Burglary<\/span> occurs when someone unlawfully enters a structure with intent to commit any crime inside, regardless of whether they break in or use force. Theft involves taking someone else’s property<\/span> with intent to permanently deprive them of it, and can occur without entering a structure.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Many people assume that burglary<\/span> is the same thing as theft. However, they are actually two distinct crimes under U.S law. The key differences<\/span> are:<\/p>\n