What is the punishment for burglary 1st degree?

• A. Not less than 5 years not more than 15 years
• B. Not less than 6 years not more than 16 years
• C. Not less than 7 years and not more than 20 years
• D. Not less than 8 years and not more than 20 years

Answer: (C)

Burglary 1st degree carries a lengthy prison term defined by statute, with a fixed minimum and maximum to reflect the offense’s seriousness. In this context the base range is not less than seven years and not more than twenty years, which aligns with the statutory sentencing structure for that degree. The other ranges either set a minimum too low to match the statute or describe a maximum that doesn’t fit the established base range, so they don’t reflect the standard punishment for this offense. Note that actual sentences can be influenced by aggravating factors (like breaking into a dwelling, time of entry, or weapon use) or mitigating circumstances, which can adjust where within the base range a sentence falls.