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Charges

Goods in custody (unlawfully in possession of property)

Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) s 527C

What is the maximum penalty for goods in custody in NSW?

Maximum penalty. On conviction before the Local Court: if the thing is a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, or a vessel or vessel part, imprisonment for 1 year or a fine of 10 penalty units or both; in the case of any other thing, imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of 5 penalty units or both.

A maximum is the ceiling the law sets for the worst category of case. It is not what a court is likely to impose, and it is not a prediction about any particular matter.

What the charge covers

This offence applies where a person has, or gives to someone else, a thing that may reasonably be suspected of being stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained. It covers things in the person's own custody, in another person's custody for them, or on premises they control. Under s 527C(2) it is a defence if the accused satisfies the court they had no reasonable grounds for suspecting the item was stolen or unlawfully obtained.

How it is dealt with

Summary. The section itself provides for conviction before the Local Court, and the Judicial Commission table marks it summary.

Where these figures come from

Every figure on this page was taken from the legislation or the Judicial Commission of New South Wales, not from secondary summaries:

Legislation changes. Figures are general as at publication; confirm the current position with a lawyer.

This page is general information about NSW law, not legal advice about your matter. Whether a charge can be defended, and what a court is likely to do, depends on the evidence and the circumstances.

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