What distinguishes burglary from trespassing?

Burglary is specifically characterized by the intent to commit a crime once inside a building or structure, which is what distinguishes it from trespassing. In a burglary, an individual enters a property unlawfully with the intention of committing an offense, typically a theft or another felony. This intent is a critical element in the definition of burglary.

Trespassing, on the other hand, involves entering someone's property without permission, but it does not inherently include the intent to commit a crime beyond the act of entering unlawfully itself. The individual may simply be trespassing without any subsequent criminal intent. Thus, the distinction lies primarily in the intention behind the unauthorized entry, with burglary necessitating this specific intent to commit a further crime.

Understanding these differences is pivotal as they often carry different legal consequences and are treated distinctly under the law.