Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What crime is Robbie charged with after entering someone's house with the intent to steal?

1. Residential burglary

2. Criminal trespass

3. Theft

4. Robbery

The correct answer is: Residential burglary

Robbie is charged with residential burglary because this crime specifically involves entering a building, typically a dwelling, with the intent to commit a crime inside, which is often theft. The key aspect of residential burglary is the unlawful entry into a person's home or living space with the specific aim of committing a crime there. In this scenario, since Robbie entered someone’s house with the intent to steal, it fits precisely under the definition of residential burglary. This distinguishes it from other options, such as criminal trespass, which typically involves entering a property without permission but does not necessarily include the intent to commit a crime inside. Theft involves the actual taking of someone's property without consent and is a separate action from the entering aspect of the crime. Robbery, on the other hand, involves taking property through force or threat, which is not relevant in this situation where entry was made with intent rather than force.