In North Carolina, the term “breaking and entering” actually covers a wide range of actions. As the name implies, breaking and entering generally occurs when someone enters a property forcibly, without the permission of the occupants or owners.

However, the sheer fact that this term covers such a wide range of actions also means that it can be charged in several ways depending on the nature of the crime. 

How the crime is committed as well as the intent of the perpetrator are used to determine how the crime is to be charged. [...]