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PUNITIVE ARTICLES

Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice

Article 129 - Burglary

Source: Internal (UCMJ) or external at constitution.org

The UCMJ is the derived source of this information.  The information below is for illustration and educational purposes only and may not reflect the most recent changes.  Please refer to your Legal Office or Area Defense Counsel for legal advice.

Text.

“Any person subject to this chapter who, with intent to commit an offense punishable under sections 918- 928 of this title (articles 118-128), breaks and enters, in the nighttime, the dwelling house of another, is guilty of burglary and shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

Elements.

(1) That the accused unlawfully broke and entered the dwelling house of another;

(2) That both the breaking and entering were done in the nighttime; and

(3) That the breaking and entering were done with the intent to commit an offense punishable under Article 118 through 128, except Article 123a.

Explanation.

(1) In general. “Burglary” is the breaking and entering in the nighttime of the dwelling house of another, with intent to commit an offense punishable under Articles 118 through 128, except 123a. In addition, an intent to commit an offense which, although not covered by Article 118 through 128, necessarily includes an offense within one of these articles, satisfies the intent element of this article. This includes, for example, assaults punishable under Article 134 which necessarily include simple assault under Article 128.

(2) Breaking. There must be a breaking, actual or constructive. Merely to enter through a hole left in the wall or roof or through an open window or door will not constitute a breaking; but if a person moves any obstruction to entry of the house without which movement the person could not have entered, the person has committed a “breaking.” Opening a closed door or window or other similar fixture, opening wider a door or window already partly open but insufficient for the entry, or cutting out the glass of a window or the netting of a screen is a sufficient breaking. The breaking of an inner door by one who has entered the house without breaking, or by a person lawfully within the house who has no authority to enter the particular room, is a sufficient breaking, but unless such a breaking is followed by an entry into the particular room with the requisite in-tent, burglary is not committed. There is a constructive breaking when the entry is gained by a trick, such as concealing oneself in a box; under false pretense, such as impersonating a gas or telephone inspector; by intimidating the occupants through violence or threats into opening the door; through collusion with a confederate, an occupant of the house; or by descending a chimney, even if only a partial descent is made and no room is entered.

(3) Entry. An entry must be effected before the offense is complete, but the entry of any part of the body, even a finger, is sufficient. Insertion into the house of a tool or other instrument is also a sufficient entry, unless the insertion is solely to facilitate the breaking or entry.

(4) Nighttime. Both the breaking and entry must be in the nighttime. “Nighttime” is the period between sunset and sunrise when there is not sufficient daylight to discern a person’s face.

(5) Dwelling house of another. To constitute bur-glary the house must be the dwelling house of another. “Dwelling house” includes out buildings within the common enclosure, farmyard, or cluster of buildings used as a residence. Such an area is the “curtilage.” A store is not a dwelling house unless part of, or also used as, a dwelling house, as when the occupant uses another part of the same building as a dwelling, or when the store in habitually slept in by family members or employees. The house must be used as a dwelling at the time of the breaking and entering. It is not necessary that anyone actually be in it at the time of the breaking and entering, but if the house has never been occupied at all or has been left without any intention of returning, it is not a dwelling house. Separate dwellings within the same building, such as a barracks room, apartment, or a room in a hotel, are subjects of burglary by other residents or guests, and in general by the owner of the building. A tent is not a subject of burglary.

(6) Intent to commit offense. Both the breaking and entry must be done with the intent to commit in the house an offense punishable under Articles 118 through 128, except 123a. If, after the breaking and entering, the accused commits one or more of these offenses, it may be inferred that the accused in-tended to commit the offense or offenses at the time of the breaking and entering. If the evidence warrants, the intended offense may be separately charged. It is immaterial whether the offense intended is committed or even attempted. If the offense is intended, it is no defense that its commission was impossible.

(7) Separate offense. If the evidence warrants, the intended offense in the burglary specification may be separately charged.

Lesser included offenses.

(1) Article 130—housebreaking

(2) Article 134—unlawful entry

(3) Article 80—attempts

Maximum punishment. Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 10 years.







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Revised: 10/21/09.