What element is necessary to define a burglary?

To define a burglary, the presence of evidence of forcible entry or exit is a critical element. Burglary typically involves the illegal entry into a building or property with the intent to commit a crime inside, often theft. This means that there must be some indication that the entry was not authorized, which is demonstrated through signs of force being used, such as broken locks or damaged doors. This element establishes the unlawful nature of the act and is central to most legal definitions of burglary.

The other options do not capture the essence of what constitutes burglary. For instance, whether a business is open at the time of the event does not inherently affect the definition of a burglary, as the entry must still be unauthorized regardless of the business hours. The presence of witnesses or the number of people present is also irrelevant in determining if burglary occurred; the key factor remains the unlawful entry, not the circumstances or people involved at that time.