What constitutes “burglary” under Georgia law?

Burglary under Georgia law is defined as entering a building or other structures with the intent to commit a crime inside. This definition is pivotal because it doesn’t merely hinge on the act of breaking and entering; rather, it emphasizes the intent behind the entry. The statute specifies that the unlawful entry is aimed at committing a felony or theft, which is crucial for establishing the crime of burglary.

In this context, simply breaking into a vehicle does not align with the legal description of burglary, as it does not typically involve a building or structure as defined by law. Stealing from an open field does not meet the criteria either, as there is no structure involved that one is unlawfully entering with criminal intent. Also, entering a property with consent does not constitute burglary, as the absence of consent is a fundamental element of the crime. Thus, the correct definition captures the essence of burglary as intended by Georgia law.