Author: Una Ebsworth
Practice area: fraud offences
Una is a Director at Doogue + George, recognised by Doyle's Guide as a Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria (2026) and an LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 2014 with over 15 years of experience in serious indictable matters. Her depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.
View full profile →Una authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 6 August 2026.
What is the offence of Going Equipped for Stealing?
Going Equipped for Stealing is an offence under section 91 of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic). It applies where a person who is not at their place of residence has an article with them for use in the course of, or in connection with, a burglary, theft or cheat.
Key points
- What must be proved: Possession of an article intended for use in connection with burglary, theft or cheating while away from the person’s place of residence.
- Type of conduct: Having any article for use in the course of, or in connection with, burglary, theft or a cheat.
- Usual court: Magistrates’ Court.
The maximum penalty for Going Equipped for Stealing is level 7 imprisonment (2 years).
Common defences may include duress, factual dispute, lack of intent, and necessity.
Have you been accused of Going Equipped for Stealing? You should call us to arrange to have your important legal questions answered.
Police Interview
The police will only interview you about an allegation of Going Equipped for Stealing if they suspect you are guilty of this charge. They will make it seem as though the interview is your ‘one and only opportunity’ to explain your side of the story. This is not true.
The best thing you can do for yourself before attending a police interview in relation to an allegation of going equipped to steal, is to speak to a lawyer. One of our lawyers will listen to your case and provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the interview process.
You can make a no comment interview, or you can respond to police questions. Knowing your rights and obligations when being interviewed by police will help you to feel as comfortable as possible in a stressful situation. Knowing what to say will ensure you are protected in the earliest stages of your matter.
Pleading Not Guilty
If you deny the allegation that you were equipped to steal, you will be pleading not guilty to the charge against you. At Doogue + George Defence Lawyers we will help you to understand the Court process and the steps it will take to reach an outcome in your case. Additionally, we will prepare to strongly defend your case. This may involve briefing in-house counsel to appear in Court. Our expert defence lawyers will review the brief of evidence in detail and look for inconsistencies in the police investigation. Sometimes the police do not find all of the available evidence. The first step is to conduct a comprehensive review of the brief of evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution case.
One of our lawyers will vigorously defend you against the allegations in Court and advise you of your options so you are fully aware of how your matter is progressing.
Pleading Guilty
A plea hearing is your chance to convince the Court you should receive the lowest possible penalty available to you for being equipped to steal. The Court will want to hear about the circumstances that lead to the offending, your personal circumstances both past and present and any other factors that might reduce the penalty being considered. To support submissions made to the Court about penalty, it is important to obtain material to support them such as:
- psychological reports,
- course certificates,
- character references.
Obtaining advice from Doogue + George Defence Lawyers will help to ensure you do not miss an opportunity to minimise the penalty.
Sentencing
Sentencing in the higher courts of Victoria
Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) s 91 — 35 charges, higher courts, 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2024.
| Outcome | % |
|---|---|
| Imprisonment | 85.7% |
| Fine | 5.7% |
| Other | 5.7% |
| Community Correction Order | 2.9% |
The data demonstrates a very high likelihood of a custodial sentence at this level, typically reflecting more serious or organised offending. The court will consider factors such as prior history, the circumstances of apprehension and any related criminal conduct when determining penalty. Where imprisonment is strongly in prospect, detailed preparation and strategic advocacy are essential.
Sentencing in the Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria
Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) s 91(1) — 2,416 charges across 2,026 cases, Magistrates’ Court, 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2023.
| Outcome | % |
|---|---|
| Imprisonment | 52.6% |
| Community Correction Order | 22.3% |
| Fine | 11.0% |
| Adjourned Undertaking | 9.4% |
| Other | 3.6% |
These figures indicate a significant risk of imprisonment, although courts regularly impose community-based supervision in appropriate cases. Sentencing will depend on the surrounding circumstances, criminal history and the overall seriousness of the conduct. Early legal advice can substantially influence the outcome.
Which court will the case be heard in?
This charge is regularly heard in the Magistrates’ Court.
What is the legal definition of Going Equipped for Stealing?
A person shall be guilty do a summary offence if, we hen not as his place of abode, he has with him any article for use in the court of or in connection with any burglary, theft or cheat.
Examples of Going Equipped for Stealing
- A person discovered inside a business or place of significance with a bolt cutter style instrument in a bag you are carrying.
- A person is discovered on CCTV taking a lead and collar to a house they do not live in in order to apprehend a dog that does not belong to them.
- A person is in a public ‘designated area’ where police have more coercive powers to search people in the absence of a warrant. They are observed going in and out of convenience stores and upon being searched a plastic gun and gloves are discovered in their pockets.
Legislation
This legislation comes from section 91 of the Crimes Act 1958.
- A person shall be guilty of a summary offence if, when not at his place of abode, he has with him any article for use in the course of or in connection with any burglary, theft or cheat.
- A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable to level 7 imprisonment (2 years maximum).
- Where a person is charged with an offence under this section, proof that he had with him any article made or adapted for use in committing a burglary, theft or cheat shall be evidence that he had it with him for such use.
- On the conviction of a person for an offence under this section, the court may order the article to be forfeited to the Crown and disposed of in the manner set out in the order.1
Elements of the offence
To prove this charge the Police must show that the accused had an article with them for the purpose of a theft, burglary or cheat. The accused must not have been at their place of residence at the time of the offence.
Defences
Possible defences to this charge could be duress, a factual dispute, lack of intent and necessity. Can the prosecution prove that you had the item on your person at the time and furthermore that the item was to be used in the execution of a theft beyond reasonable doubt?
Deciding on whether to plead guilty or not will have major implications for you and should be made after proper discussion with a criminal lawyer. You should ring us and discuss your case if you have been charged.
Questions in cases like this
- How sophisticated is the proposed theft.
- Are the items reasonable in the context of the situation that they are discovered. Are they simple a common item, such as a gardener who forgets they have left their gloves in the pack pocket of their pants.
- What are the potential ramifications of the proposed theft.
Maximum penalty
A person found guilty of Going Equipped for Stealing (s91 of the Crimes Act 1958) can be sentenced to 2 years imprisonment (Level 7 imprisonment).
Other important resources
- SACStat Higher Courts – Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) : s 91(1) – go equipped to steal or cheat
- SAC Statistics – Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) : s 91(1) – go equipped to steal or cheat
- Victorian Sentencing Manual: Going equipped to steal
Case studies related to Going Equipped for Stealing
FAQ about Going Equipped for Stealing
What elements must be established for going equipped for stealing?
What does “article” mean for this offence?
Does the prosecution need to prove an actual theft or burglary?
Why does the offence require the person not to be at their place of residence?
How can intention be proven in these cases?
What issues are commonly contested in court?
[1] Crimes Act 1958 (vic) s 91
