You can be charged with and potentially go to jail for attempting burglary in Illinois, even if you did not succeed in completing the offense. The potential penalties for a burglary charge are harsh. If you are facing criminal charges and have questions about your case, an Aurora, IL burglary defense attorney can help. Consider how Illinois law governs these cases. Then, we can discuss potential defense strategies for challenging the charge.
What Is the Difference Between Burglary and Attempted Burglary in Illinois?
In Illinois, there is no real distinction between burglary and attempted burglary. Under Article 19 of the Illinois Criminal Code 720 ILCS 5/, burglary occurs when someone knowingly enters or remains within a structure or vehicle with the intent to commit a felony or theft. Breaking into a home to steal someone’s belongings is burglary. Entering a business after hours to damage the property is also burglary. You can also be charged with burglary for attempting to do those things. The defining element of burglary is the intent to commit a crime, not the actual commission of that crime.