Possession of Burglary Tools

Under A.R.S. § 13-1505, a person commits this offense by possessing any explosive, tool, instrument, or other article commonly used for committing burglary, with the intent to use it in the commission of a burglary. The statute also covers the buying, selling, or possessing of motor vehicle manipulation keys or master keys.

Penalties

Possession of burglary tools is a Class 6 felony.

Defenses

The prosecution must prove not just possession of the tools, but also the intent to use them to commit burglary. Many common items — screwdrivers, crowbars, flashlights — can have perfectly innocent uses. The defense often centers on demonstrating that the defendant possessed the items for a lawful purpose.