Is a person who enters a structure enumerated in section 459 of the California Penal Code guilty of burglary?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Wheeler, F066696 (Cal. App. 2015):

a person who enters a structure enumerated in section 459 with the intent to commit a felony is guilty of burglary except when he or she (1) has an unconditional possessory right to enter as the occupant of that structure or (2) is invited in by the occupant who knows of and endorses the felonious intent." (People v. Salemme (1992) 2 Cal.App.4th 775, 781, first italics in original, second italics added.)

The possessory right protected by section 459 is the "right to exert control over property to the exclusion of others" or, stated differently, the "right to enter as the occupant of that structure." (People v. Salemme, supra, 2 Cal.App.4th at pp. 779, 781.) The "primary purpose" of the burglary law "is to protect a possessory right in property. Thus, if there is an invasion of the occupant's possessory rights, the entry constitutes burglary regardless of whether actual or potential danger exists." (Id. at p. 781.)

Other Questions


Is a person guilty of burglary if they enter a structure enumerated in section 459 of the California Penal Code with the intent to commit a felony? (California, United States of America)
Does section 12022.5, subdivision (a) of the California Penal Code, section 120 22.5(1) of Section 1385(2) apply to a defendant who personally uses a firearm in the commission of a felony or attempted felony? (California, United States of America)
Does section 654 of the California Penal Code allow for an act or omission that is punishable by different sections of the Penal Code to be punished by one or more sections? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be successful on appeal against a finding of not guilty of a section 288.7, subdivision (b) violation of section 288 of the California Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
How has section 490.2 of the California Penal Code been interpreted in the context of Section 487 of the Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
Does Section 12022.7 of the California Criminal Code apply to a person who personally inflicts great bodily injury on another person other than an accomplice? (California, United States of America)
Does Section 451 or 452.5(2) of the California Controlled Substitute Act allow a person to be found guilty of the crime of furnishing a controlled substance to another person? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be convicted of a lesser included crime of the same crime under both sections of the California Penal Code and Section 654 of the Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
What is the test for Section 654 of the California Criminal Code when a defendant is found guilty of a breach of section 654 or section 744 of the Code of Civil Procedure? (California, United States of America)
What is the effect of section 633.5 of the California Penal Code on a phone recording pursuant to section 632 of the Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.