What is required for the offense of unlawful entry?

The offense of unlawful entry does not necessitate specific intent to commit another crime or the act of breaking in physically. Unlawful entry is defined primarily by the act of entering a property without permission from the owner or authorized person. Therefore, even if a person enters a property without the intent to commit theft or another crime, this act still constitutes unlawful entry if done without consent.

The lack of requirement for specific intent means that the act itself is sufficient to define the offense; it does not hinge on the offender’s motivation or plans once inside the property. Likewise, the absence of a need for breaking indicates that simply crossing the threshold of a property—even through an open door—can satisfy the criteria for unlawful entry, as long as it is done without permission.

This distinction is crucial for legal interpretations, as it broadens the scope of what constitutes unlawful entry beyond mere physical break-ins or malicious intent, focusing instead on the unauthorized nature of the entry itself.