Wichita Bail Bonds Blog

Yes, you can be convicted of both burglary and robbery if the evidence shows that you committed both crimes during the same incident. While burglary and robbery are often confused, they are legally distinct offenses. Burglary involves unlawfully entering a building to commit a crime inside, while robbery involves taking property directly from someone using force or threats. Because these crimes involve different actions and victims, prosecutors can charge—and courts can convict—a person of both.

Key Difference Between Burglary And Robbery

• Burglary happens when someone enters a structure, home, or business without permission and with the intent to commit a crime inside, such as theft or assault.
• Robbery occurs when someone takes property directly from another person through force, intimidation, or threat of violence.
• Burglary is considered a property crime, while robbery is classified as a violent crime.

When Both Charges Apply

• If you break into a home or store (burglary) and then threaten or attack someone inside to take their property (robbery), both crimes have occurred.
• Each charge focuses on a different act—one for the unlawful entry, and one for the violent theft.
• For example, breaking into a convenience store after hours is burglary, but threatening the clerk with a weapon and demanding cash once inside is robbery.

Separate Elements Of Each Crime

• Burglary requires proof of unlawful entry and intent to commit a crime once inside.
• Robbery requires proof of force or threat used to take something from a person.
• Because the legal elements are different, you can face both charges without it being considered double jeopardy.

Possible Sentences

• Being convicted of both burglary and robbery can result in consecutive sentences, meaning one is served after the other.
• Burglaries that involve weapons or occupied homes can be charged as aggravated burglary, which increases penalties.
• Robbery convictions, especially when a weapon is used, can result in lengthy prison terms due to the violent nature of the crime.
• Judges often consider the total harm caused, number of victims, and level of violence when deciding on sentencing.

Example Scenario

• A person breaks into a house intending to steal electronics (burglary).
• The homeowner wakes up and confronts the intruder.
• The intruder pulls a weapon and demands money before escaping (robbery).
• Because the break-in and the violent theft are two separate criminal acts, prosecutors can charge both crimes.

You can be convicted of both burglary and robbery if you illegally enter a property and then use force or threats to steal from someone inside. Burglary focuses on unlawful entry, and robbery focuses on violent theft. Since they involve different actions, courts can impose separate convictions and sentences for each offense.