Porches are burglary in UCR when they meet which criterion?

• A. minimal amount of screen, meet qualifications for structure, burglary
• B. fully enclosed with a door
• C. enclosed by a fence
• D. large porch

Answer: (A)

In UCR terms, burglary is counted when the unlawful entry occurs into a structure. A porch only counts if it is considered a structure under that definition—meaning it’s part of a building and sufficiently enclosed to be treated as a feasible place to commit a crime, not just an open or fenced area. The idea behind the criterion you’re being tested on is that even a porch with minimal enclosure (for example, a small amount of screening that makes it part of the structure) can meet the structural requirement. When that structural qualification is met, the burglary is classified as a burglary of a structure, which is why this option is the best fit.