Which of the following constitutes burglary in Wisconsin law?

• A. Trespassing on private property without permission
• B. Unauthorized entry into a building, dwelling, or locked area with intent to commit a felony or theft inside
• C. Breaking into a vehicle to steal items
• D. Vandalizing property with no intent to commit theft

Answer: (B)

Burglary hinges on two elements: unlawful entry into a building, dwelling, or locked area, and the specific intent to commit a felony or theft inside. The option that describes entering (or remaining in) a building or locked space with the purpose of committing a felony or theft inside directly matches those statutory elements. That combination—not just trespass or property damage, and not breaking into a vehicle—distinguishes burglary from other crimes. Trespassing lacks the required criminal intent inside the space. Breaking into a vehicle isn’t covered by this burglary definition because it focuses on buildings or locked areas, not vehicles. Vandalizing without any plan to steal also misses the necessary intent to commit a crime inside. So this description best captures what Wisconsin law defines as burglary.