Possession of Tablet Press

Author: Kristina Kothrakis

Practice area: Drug offences

Kristina is a Director at Doogue + George and an LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist with over 18 years of criminal defence experience. Her depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.

View full profile →

Kristina authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 6 August 2026.

What is the offence of Possession of Tablet Press?

Possession of Tablet Press is a criminal offence under section 71C of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981. It concerns having control of a tablet press in circumstances that fall outside the statutory authorisation and licensing framework created by Victorian drug laws.

Key points

Elements: Possession of a tablet press and absence of lawful excuse.
Prohibited conduct: Having a tablet press without being authorised or licensed under the Act or regulations.
Usual court level: Indictable offence ordinarily heard in the County Court.

The maximum penalty for Possession of Tablet Press is 600 penalty units ($125,460.00 as at 2026–27) or level 6 imprisonment (5 years maximum).

Common defences may include Another person was in possession of the tablet press; factual disputes about where and when it was seized; disputes about intention to possess.

If you are considering buying a tablet press, you should obtain legal advice about whether you are at risk of being charged with this offence. We deal with drug offences on a daily basis and can help you with any questions you have.

Police Interview

Police interviews are not your opportunity to tell your side of the story and you should be very careful if police want to interview you in relation to possession of a tablet press. A police interview may not be the time to make any explanations to the police and any admissions could harm your case rather than help it. If you are unsure on how to navigate your police interview we can help you. Contact us and one of our expert lawyers will talk you through the process and answer any queries you have.

Pleading Not Guilty

If you believe you have bought a tablet press for a lawful reason or think you have been wrongly charged with this offence, you should engage a lawyer to assist you in navigating your case. We can assist you by examining all the evidence and considering what you tell us about your case. You might have questions such as:

The tablet press was in my house but I did not know about it or use it, does this matter?
I think I have a lawful reason for owning a tablet press, can this help with these charges?

Pleading Guilty

A lawyer can help you present your best possible case where you have decided to plead guilty to possession of a tablet press. We are experienced in dealing with these types of offences and can guide you through the process by explaining court procedures and what it means to enter a plea. We can also advise you on the range of potential penalties you are looking at if you plead guilty.

Which court will the case be heard in?

This is an indictable offence which would ordinarily be heard in the County Court.

Examples of possession of a tablet press:

You watch an episode of Underbelly and you are inspired to buy a pill press and store it in the family garage

What is the legal definition of Possession of Tablet Press?

A person who, without being authorized by or licensed under this Act or the regulations (if any) to do so or otherwise without a lawful excuse, possesses a tablet press is guilty of an indictable offence.

Can they prove you were the person who possessed the tablet press?

Legislation

The law for Possession of Tablet Press can be found on section 71C of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981.

Elements of the offence

For an accused to be found guilty of this charge, the following elements must be proven in court beyond reasonable doubt:

The accused possessed a tablet press
The accused had no lawful excuse for possession of the tablet press

Defences

Defences to this charge can be:

Someone other than the accused was in possession of the tablet press.
Factual disputes about where and when the tablet press was seized.
Disputes as to intention to possess.

Questions in cases like this

Where did the police find the tablet press? How are they going to prove that you were in ‘possession’ of it?
Is the machine a tablet press?

You should ring us and discuss your case if you have been charged. Deciding on whether to plead guilty or not has important implications for you and should be made after proper discussions with a criminal lawyer.

Maximum penalty for section 71C of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981

The maximum penalty for Possession of Tablet Press (s71C of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981) is 600 penalty units ($125,460.00 as at 2026–27) or level 6 imprisonment (5 years maximum).

FAQ About Possession of Tablet Press

I didn’t know the tablet press was at my property — can I still be charged?

A common issue arises where police locate a tablet press at a person’s house but the person says they did not know about it or use it. Cases often focus on how the prosecution will establish that the accused was in “possession” of the item, particularly where others had access to the premises.

How do courts deal with disputes about who actually possessed the tablet press?

One of the recurring factual disputes is whether someone other than the accused was in possession of the tablet press. This can become central where multiple people had access to the location where the item was found, and the evidence must be examined to determine who exercised control over it.

What if there is a disagreement about where or when the tablet press was seized?

Factual disputes about where and when a tablet press was seized are specifically identified as issues that can arise in these cases. The reliability and accuracy of the seizure circumstances may be closely examined, particularly if the timing or location is important to the allegation of possession.

Does it matter whether the device is actually a tablet press?

Whether the machine is, in fact, a tablet press is identified as a potential issue. If there is a genuine dispute about the nature of the device, that question can become central to the case, as the charge depends on the item meeting the description alleged.

I bought the machine for a legitimate reason — is that relevant?

The question of having a lawful reason for owning a tablet press is raised as a common concern. The offence structure centres on possession without proper authorisation, licensing, or lawful excuse. Whether a claimed legitimate reason is accepted depends on the surrounding facts and how the issue is addressed in court.

What happens if I decide to plead guilty?

If a person decides to plead guilty, the focus shifts to court procedure and preparing the matter for a plea hearing. This includes addressing the circumstances of the offence and any relevant background before the court determines the appropriate sentence within the available penalty range.

< Back to Drug Offences

< Back to A -Z of Offences