Is it legal for a 16 year old to carry lockpicking tools on himself?
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Is it legal for a 16 year old to carry lockpicking tools on himself?
I want to carry simple lockpicking tools on myself as it is a hobby and may be useful if I ever got locked out of my house or car. I have a clean record and no intent to commit crimes with these tools. Is this okay?
Asked on March 10, 2019 under Criminal Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Your state (like many other) essentially makes it illegal for anyone to have lockpicking tools unless they are a law enforcement officer, a licensed locksmith, licensed security or alarm specialist, or licensed private detective. The law makes it illegal to have tools like with intent to commit burglary, but lets the court (if you are charged) presume that you had an intent to commit burglary unless you belong to one of the types of persons described abovel. Essentially, your state assumes that there is no legitimate purpose for these tools for anyone except somone in the law enforcement, lock, security, alarm, etc. fields.
Here's a link to the relevant statute: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K19-2.htm
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