Although each degree is somewhat similar in wording they can be differentiated. For example, burglary in the first degree is the unlawful entry into an occupied, unoccupied, or vacant dwelling house of another or any building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, aircraft, other such structure designed for use as the dwelling of another with the intent to commit a felony or theft therein (O.C.G.A § 16-7-1). Burglary in the first degree carries a punishment no less than one no more than 20 years for the first convicted offense, no less than two no more than 20 years for the second and no less than five no more than 25 years for the third. Burglary in the second degree is the unlawful entry into an occupied, unoccupied, or vacant building, structure, vehicle railroad car, watercraft or aircraft with the intent to commit a felony or theft therein (O.C.G.A § 16-7-1). Burglary in the second degree carries a punishment no less than one no more than five years for the first convicted offense and no less than one no more than eight years for the second …show more content…
Forgery in the first degree is the intent to defraud by altering, or possessing any writing other than a check, in a fictitious name or in such manner that the writing as made or altered purports to have been made by another person, at another time, with different provisions, or by authority of one who did not give such authority and utters or delivers such writing (O.C.G.A § 16-9-1). Punishment if convicted for the first offense carries a sentence no less than one no more than 15 years. Forgery in the second degree uses the same exact wording as a forgery in the first degree except that it omits the final wording of: “utters or delivers such writing.” Punishment if convicted under this offense carries a sentence no less than one no more than 5 years. In forgery in the third degree, the phrase “delivers any check written in the amount of $1,500.300 or more” and the phrase “possesses ten or more checks written without specified amount in a fictitious name has been added (O.C.G.A § 16-9-1). Punishment if convicted for this offense carries a sentence no less than one no more than 5 years. Forgery in the fourth degree uses the exact same wording as a forgery in the third degree except that an individual must possess less than ten checks. Punishment for this offense carries the same as a forgery in the third degree; no less than one no more than 5