Crimes Against the Habitation

Criminal Law: Crimes Against the Habitation

Introduction to Crimes Against the Habitation

The two common law felonies of arson and burglary are crimes against property, but they also often involve physical danger to the victim, and so they may be classified separately from other property crimes. The common law definitions limited these crimes to dwelling houses-that is, buildings in which people lived. Modern statutes generally extend their coverage to other buildings, such as barns, warehouses, churches, stores, and garages, as well as some nonbuildings such as railroad cars and boats. Some arson statutes cover all forms of personal property.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about Crimes Against the Habitation in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to Crimes Against the Habitation

In this Section

Crimes Against Property (including Larceny, Embezzlement, False Pretenses, Property Robbery, Extortion, Receiving Stolen Property and Forgery) and Crimes Against the Habitation (Arson and Burglary).