What charge could a suspect face for entering a homeowner's residence without permission?

Study for the Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Exam. Access multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to prepare confidently for your exam. Get ready to advance your career!

Burglary is charged when an individual unlawfully enters a building with the intent to commit a crime inside. In the context of a homeowner's residence, if the suspect entered without permission with the intent to commit theft or another crime, burglary fits this scenario.

This offense underscores the illegal entry aspect as well as the intent to commit further wrongdoing, which elevates the situation from merely being present without permission to having a purpose that constitutes a felony. It's important to note that a mere entry without intent to commit a crime may lead to other charges, but in this case, the charge of burglary clearly covers situations where there's an intention to commit another crime upon entry.

In contrast, charges such as criminal trespass typically apply when permission to enter is denied, but it does not require intent to commit another crime inside. Breaking and entering can also refer to entering into a building illegally but usually implies the use of force or intent to commit a crime once inside. Home invasion carries a more serious connotation, usually involving the act of entering a dwelling while the residents are present and with intent to commit a crime, which may not apply to all situations of unauthorized entry.

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