Which burglary offense corresponds to entering a dwelling without consent and possessing a deadly weapon or causing physical injury?

• A. Burglary (3rd Degree)
• B. Burglary (2nd Degree)
• C. Burglary (1st Degree)
• D. Criminal Trespass (1st Degree)

Answer: (C)

In burglary cases, the severity is tied to both the place entered and any aggravating factors, like using a deadly weapon or causing injury. Entering a dwelling without consent already meets the burglary element, but when the offender also possesses a deadly weapon or injures someone, that aggravating factor bumps it to the highest level. That combination is charged as first-degree burglary, the most serious tier.

Lower degrees cover similar entry with fewer or no aggravating factors, such as entering a dwelling with intent but without weapon or injury, or entering a non-dwelling with some, but lesser, circumstances. Criminal trespass involves unauthorized entry without the burglary elements (like the intent to commit a crime inside) and is not the same as burglary, especially when a dwelling and dangerous weapon or injury are at issue.