Burglary and Home Invasions in Connecticut

In Connecticut, a person who unlawfully enters or remains in a building or other premises commits the crime of burglary, home invasion, or criminal trespass. The offense and punishment depend on the defendant's intent, the type of building or premises, and the circumstances involved. Connecticut also makes it a crime to possess or make tools used in burglaries.

What Is a Burglary or Home Invasion Offense in Connecticut?

Traditionally, burglary was defined as breaking and entering a home at night with the intent to commit a felony inside. Today, Connecticut (and most other states) have broadened the definition of burglary.

Generally speaking, a person commits burglary by entering a building without permission and with the intent to commit a crime inside. Additional factors (including some of the traditional factors noted above) determine the offense level and punishment. The following definitions apply to burglary-related crimes.

Building includes its ordinary meaning (as a structure), plus any watercraft, aircraft, trailer, railroad car, vehicle, or structure that can be occupied. Buildings include dwellings.

Dwelling means a building used for lodging purposes, even if a person is not present. In addition to the typical family home or apartment, a dwelling could include motel rooms, dorm rooms, RVs, and houseboats.

At night is the period between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.

Connecticut divides burglary offenses into three degrees and has a separate crime for home invasions.

What Are the Penalties for Home Invasion in Connecticut?

Home invasion is the most serious burglary offense in Connecticut. A conviction means harsh class A felony penalties.

A person commits home invasion by entering an occupied dwelling with the intent to commit a crime, and:

• the defendant or a co-defendant commits or attempts to commit a felony against a person present in the home (such as assault), or
• the defendant is physically armed with explosives, a deadly weapon (even a BB gun counts), or an object that could be used to cause injury (such as a tire iron).

A class A felony carries a penalty of 10 to 25 years of prison time and a fine of up to $20,000.

(Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-100aa (2025); State v. Edwards, 156 A.3d 506 (Conn. 2017).)

What Are the Penalties for Burglary in Connecticut?

Other burglaries in Connecticut are designated as first-, second-, or third-degree burglaries (from most to least serious). It's also a crime to possess burglary tools.

First-Degree Burglary

First-degree burglary involves unlawfully entering or remaining in a dwelling at night with intent to commit a crime (similar to traditional burglary). It's also first-degree burglary when a defendant unlawfully enters or remains in any building (including a dwelling) with intent to commit a crime and:

• is armed with explosives, a deadly weapon, or a dangerous instrument, or
• intentionally or recklessly injures or attempts to injure someone.

Summarized, first-degree burglary includes (1) burglary in a dwelling at night, and (2) burglary involving explosives, deadly weapons, or physical violence.

Examples. For instance, a person who enters someone's home through an open window at 2 a.m. intending to steal jewelry commits first-degree burglary. Another example is someone who breaks into a shed intending to steal tools and, upon being discovered, pushes and seriously injures the victim in an attempt to flee. It would also be first-degree burglary to break into the shed while carrying a tire iron and intending to steal a toolbox.

Penalty. First-degree burglary is a class B felony, punishable by one to 20 years' incarceration and a $15,000 fine.

Second-Degree Burglary

Second-degree burglary occurs when a defendant unlawfully enters or remains in an occupied dwelling with intent to commit a crime. The offense is a class C felony and carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a $10,000 fine.

Third-Degree Burglary

Third-degree burglary is a class D felony. A person commits third-degree burglary by unlawfully entering or remaining in a building (unoccupied dwelling or nonresidential building) with intent to commit a crime. A class D felony carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Possession of Burglary Tools

Like most states, Connecticut has laws against possessing, making, or altering burglary tools, either intending to use the object to commit a crime or knowing that another person intends to use the object to commit a crime. A burglary tool is any instrument or device designed or commonly used to force entry into a building or break into a safe or similar item. For example, a person who manufactures master keys for car thieves could be convicted of manufacturing burglary tools. A conviction results in a class A misdemeanor with up to 364 days in jail.

(Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-36, 53a-101 to 53a-103a, 53a-106 (2025).)

Enhanced Penalties for Armed Burglary and Repeat Offenders in Connecticut

Minimum sentences apply for armed burglary offenses in Connecticut. A person convicted of first-degree burglary while armed with explosives, a deadly weapon, or dangerous instrument must serve at least five years in prison. Second- and third-degree burglary involving a firearm (even the representation of having a firearm) means a minimum of one year behind bards.

Connecticut's sentencing law allows enhanced sentences for any offender considered to be a persistent (repeat) offender. The law contains various levels of enhancements depending on the seriousness of the present and past crimes. Generally, enhanced sentences include mandatory minimum sentences or an increase to the next sentencing level (such as bumping up a class C to a class B felony).

(Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-40 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Criminal Trespass in Connecticut?

Criminal trespass generally involves entering or remaining on someone's property without permission and carries less severe penalties than burglary. Connecticut divides trespass into simple trespass (a fine-only offense) and criminal trespass (misdemeanor offenses that can include jail time).

Simple Trespass

A person commits simple trespass by knowingly entering or remaining on property without permission and having no intent to damage any property.

Simple trespass is an infraction and can be punished by a fine only (no jail time).

Criminal Trespass in the First, Second, and Third Degrees

Criminal trespass occurs when the defendant, without permission, enters or remains:

• on property after being ordered to leave or not enter
• on property in violation of a restraining order
• in a building, on public land, within a fenced or enclosed property, or on property where "No Trespassing" signs are posted, or
• on land for hunting, trapping, or fishing.

Penalties for criminal trespass range from a class A to class C misdemeanor and carry sentences from three months to 364 days in jail.

(Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-107, 53a-108, 53a-109, 53a-110a (2025).)

Defenses to Burglary and Trespass Charges in Connecticut

It is a defense to a charge of burglary that the building was abandoned. A person who goes into an abandoned building and steals copper could be charged with theft but not burglary in Connecticut.

Abandonment is also a defense to a charge of trespassing into a building. And it's a defense to trespassing that the land or building was open to the public (such as a store during normal business hours) or that the defendant reasonably believed that they had permission to enter.

(Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-104, 53a-110 (2025).)

Obtaining Legal Assistance

If you're charged with home invasion, burglary, trespass, or a related crime, contact a Connecticut criminal defense attorney or ask for a public defender as soon as possible. Any criminal conviction can have serious consequences, including time in jail or prison, fines, and a criminal record, which can make it difficult to obtain a job or pass a background check. The best way to avoid a criminal conviction is to work with an experienced attorney who can explain the charges against you and help you protect your rights.