Plain language law

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228B: Possessing, selling, or disposing of goods designed, manufactured, or adapted with intent to facilitate commission of crimes involving dishonesty
or “It's against the law to have, sell, or give away things made to help people steal or cheat.”

You could also call this:

“Having tools for stealing without a good reason is against the law.”

If you have items that can be used to help commit a dishonest crime, and you plan to use them for that purpose, you’re breaking the law. This doesn’t include the specific crimes mentioned in sections 227, 233, and 264. If you’re caught with these items and intend to use them for dishonest crimes, you could go to prison for up to 3 years. Remember, it’s only illegal if you don’t have a good reason or official permission to have these items, and you’re planning to use them for criminal activities.

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Next up: 229: Criminal breach of trust

or “Misusing things you're meant to look after for someone else is against the law and can get you in big trouble.”

Part 10 Crimes against rights of property
Unlawful taking

228CPossessing goods capable of being used to facilitate crimes involving dishonesty with intent to facilitate commission of those offences

  1. Every person is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years who, without lawful authority or excuse, possesses any goods capable of being used to facilitate the commission of a crime involving dishonesty (other than those specified in sections 227, 233, and 264) with intent to use the goods to facilitate the commission of that offence.

Notes
  • Section 228C: inserted, on , by section 11 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 95).