Plain language law

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227: Being in possession of instrument for conversion
or “Having tools to steal cars, boats, or planes without permission is against the law.”

You could also call this:

“Taking or using papers that don't belong to you to get something you want is against the law.”

You can be sent to prison for up to 7 years if you dishonestly take or use a document to try to get property, services, money, or something valuable. This means if you take a document that doesn’t belong to you, or use one without permission, to try to get something you’re not supposed to have, you could be in big trouble.

You also need to be careful about selling or giving away documents. If you know a document was taken or used dishonestly to get property, services, money, or something valuable, and you sell it or give it to someone else without a good reason, you could go to prison for up to 3 years.

Remember, it’s important to always be honest and respect other people’s documents and property. If something doesn’t belong to you or you don’t have permission to use it, it’s best to leave it alone.

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Next up: 228A: Designing, manufacturing, or adapting goods with intent to facilitate commission of crimes involving dishonesty

or “Making or changing things to help people steal or cheat is against the law.”

Part 10 Crimes against rights of property
Unlawful taking

228Dishonestly taking or using document

  1. Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years who, with intent to obtain any property, service, pecuniary advantage, or valuable consideration,—

  2. dishonestly and without claim of right, takes or obtains any document; or
    1. dishonestly and without claim of right, uses or attempts to use any document.
      1. Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years who, without reasonable excuse, sells, transfers, or otherwise makes available any document knowing that—

      2. the document was, dishonestly and without claim of right, taken, obtained, or used; and
        1. the document was dealt with in the manner specified in paragraph (a) with intent to obtain any property, service, pecuniary advantage, or valuable consideration.
          Compare
          • 1961 No 43 s 229A
          Notes
          • Section 228: replaced, on , by section 15 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2003 (2003 No 39).
          • Section 228(2): inserted, on , by section 10 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 95).