What is the difference between a burglary vs robbery? Well, to some, they may be the same thing. Burglary and robbery are often interchanged when people are discussing the crime. However, these terms are actually different from each other. While they do have similar qualities, there are distinct differences.
In fact, burglary and robberies have their own legal definitions and are penalized accordingly. By knowing the differences in these crimes, you can live a safer life. Additionally, you can educate others on how the mistake of thinking these two crimes are the same dwindles.
What is a Burglary?
A burglary is considered the act of entering any building without permission with the intent to commit a crime. That crime could be theft or any type of felony. Felonies are the most serious types of crimes. They typically include acts of violence where the person intended to cause harm to another person. In general, the key defining factor of a burglary is entering a building without permission.
What is a Robbery?
In the event of a robbery, a person forcibly takes something directly from another without permission. As you can see, no building is required for a robbery to occur. Robberies can occur in a park, a car, or a building such as a home or a bank. The person acting on the robbery will use fear or force to take the items they want. Robbery almost always requires force or fear for it to be considered a robbery, while a burglary doesn’t need either to be considered.
Punishments for a Burglary vs Robbery
The penalties of a burglary and a robbery vary from each state. Both crimes are considered serious offenses and usually have punishments to match the crime. Most states have degrees of severity depending on the factors of the crime. In the state of Texas, this is true.
A burglary is punished by the following:
- If the burglary was not in a habitation building (home, apartment, etc.), then the crime is punished as a State Jail Felony (the least severe felony). The punishment could be a fine of up to $10,000 and jail time with a maximum of two years.
- Burglaries in a building of habitation are considered a Felony of the Second Degree. The maximum fine is $10,000 and prison time of no more than 20 years.
- A burglary in a habitation building that includes a felony other than theft is considered a Felony of First Degree. The maximum fine is $10,000 with up to life in prison.
In the case of robberies, most states treat them as felonies. Often, robberies that involve a weapon are treated as worse crimes. Of course, it all varies on the state you live in. For Texas, the robberies are punished like the following:
- Robbery is considered a second-degree felony with a maximum of 20 years in prison and fines reaching $10,000.
- Aggravated robbery is more serious and is labeled as such when you cause bodily harm, use a deadly weapon, or causing bodily harm or threatening a person to cause harm or fear when the person is more than 65 years old or disabled. Aggravated robberies are considered a first-degree felony and are punishable with prison up to 99 years and up to $10,000 in fines.
Burglary vs Robbery: Know the Difference
Now that you know the difference between a burglary vs robbery, you can help others understand the difference. You can also keep yourself protected by knowing the difference between these two crimes. You can take steps to reduce the risk of being a victim of either using the right security measures.
If you want to improve your property’s security, give United Locksmith a call at (832) 529-1014 or fill out the form on our contact page. Our team would love to help improve your home’s security with the right features. Contact our team today to learn more!