Yes, you can be charged with Burglary in New Jersey (N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2) even if you didn’t steal anything.
While we tend to think of burglary as the act of breaking into a home or business in order to rob it, the charge itself hinges solely on either entering a place without permission, with the intent of committing another crime, or secretly remaining in a place without permission.
You don’t have to steal anything to be convicted of burglary.
Just being on a premises where you are not authorized to be is adequate to prosecute you under the statute.
That said, since the charge includes the allegation that you intended to commit another crime, the state has a duty to prove that element.
This can be harder than you think, and a good criminal defense attorney can help fight the burglary charges against you.
Call attorney Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney who defends burglary charges in all counties in the state.