Goods in Custody Lawyer Parramatta, Sydney, Norwest & NSW - Receiving Stolen Property

Charged with goods in custody (receiving stolen property) in Parramatta, Sydney, Norwest, Castle Hill, or anywhere in NSW? This offence under section 527C of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) involves possessing property reasonably suspected of being stolen or unlawfully obtained, carrying maximum penalties of 6-12 months imprisonment. Whether you're facing charges for possessing suspected stolen electronics in Parramatta, buying cheap goods from Facebook Marketplace in Castle Hill, possessing tools without proof of purchase in Norwest, or receiving a stolen motor vehicle across Western Sydney, you need expert criminal defence representation.

At Barsha Defence Lawyers, we have offices in Parramatta (5 minute walk to Parramatta Local Court) and Norwest (serving Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, Rouse Hill, and the Hills District with FREE on-site parking). We regularly defend goods in custody charges in Parramatta Local Court, Blacktown Local Court, Penrith Local Court, and across Western Sydney and NSW. Our experienced defence team has successfully achieved charge withdrawals and not guilty verdicts by establishing lawful purchase, lack of knowledge property was stolen, and challenging "reasonable suspicion" element.

What Is Goods in Custody in NSW?

Under section 527C Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), you are guilty if you have:

• Anything in your custody
• Which may reasonably be suspected of being stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained

Penalties:

Common Goods in Custody Scenarios - Parramatta, Sydney, Norwest & Castle Hill

Facebook Marketplace / Gumtree Purchases:

• Buying electronics (iPhones, laptops, gaming consoles) at suspiciously low prices from strangers
• Purchasing tools, power tools from unknown sellers at cheap prices
• Buying designer handbags, perfume, cosmetics well below retail from individuals
• Purchasing bicycles without proof of ownership
• Items still have security tags attached

Shoplifting - Possessing Other Suspected Stolen Items:

• Caught shoplifting at Westfield Parramatta, Castle Towers, Norwest Marketown
• Police search reveals other items in bag/car without receipts
• Cannot provide proof of purchase for multiple items

Pawn Shops / Second-Hand Dealers:

• Pawn shop in Parramatta, Castle Hill possessing stolen jewelry, tools, electronics
• Failed to verify seller identity or check stolen property database

Vehicle Parts & Stolen Cars:

• Possessing car parts (wheels, stereo, engine parts) without proof of origin
• Possessing stolen motor vehicle or motorcycle
• Car with VIN number filed off or altered
• Possessing vehicle plates not registered to you

Street Purchases:

• Buying goods from stranger on street in Parramatta, Blacktown ("fell off a truck")
• Purchasing items from car boot at suspiciously low prices

Items at Home Without Proof of Purchase:

• Police search home in Castle Hill, Norwest, Parramatta and find property without receipts
• Cannot explain how you obtained items
• Items match description of recently stolen property

What Is "Custody"?

Under section 527C, you have "custody" if:

• Physically possess the item on your person
• Item is at your home, car, workplace
• Temporarily gave item to someone else (e.g., friend holding it for you)
• Previously possessed and sold/gave to another person

You do NOT need to own the property. Simply possessing or controlling it is sufficient.

What Is "Reasonably Suspected"?

Property is "reasonably suspected" of being stolen if:

• Circumstances surrounding acquisition suggest it was stolen
• Price paid was significantly below market value
• Seller could not provide proof of ownership
• Item still has security tags, price labels
• Serial numbers filed off or altered
• You bought from known criminal or suspicious circumstances
• Item matches description of recently reported stolen property
• You cannot explain how you lawfully obtained property

Critical: Police do NOT need to prove the property was actually stolen — only that it's reasonably suspected of being stolen.

What Must Prosecution Prove?

For goods in custody charges at Parramatta, Castle Hill, or Sydney courts, prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt:

1. You had custody of the property (physical possession, at home, or previously possessed and transferred)
2. The property may reasonably be suspected of being stolen or unlawfully obtained

Prosecution does NOT need to prove:

• Property was actually stolen (only reasonable suspicion required)
• You knew property was stolen
• Who originally stole the property

Defences to Goods in Custody

1. Property Lawfully Obtained (Most Common)

You can prove property was lawfully obtained by providing:

• Purchase receipts showing you bought from legitimate retailer
• Bank statements showing purchase transaction
• Proof of gift from family member, friend with receipts
• Proof of inheritance
• Seller details proving purchase from legitimate business/person

If you can prove property was lawfully obtained, you MUST be found not guilty.

2. Property Not Stolen or Unlawfully Obtained

Challenging whether property was actually stolen:

• No evidence property was reported stolen
• Owner cannot be identified
• Property is too common to identify as specific stolen item

3. Not in Your Custody

Property did not belong to you:

• Found at shared house — belonged to housemate
• Found in car shared with family members
• Someone else put it in your possession without your knowledge

4. Not "Reasonably Suspected" of Being Stolen

Circumstances do not give rise to reasonable suspicion:

• Paid fair market price
• Purchased from reputable seller
• Seller provided receipt or proof of ownership
• No suspicious circumstances

5. Duress or Necessity

You were forced to possess property under threat, or possessed it out of necessity to prevent greater harm.

6. Mental Health Defence

Section 14 application for mental illness or cognitive impairment.

Court Process

1. Discovery: Police find suspected stolen property during search, traffic stop, or shoplifting arrest
2. Charge: Court Attendance Notice issued
3. First Appearance: Mention at Parramatta, Castle Hill, Blacktown Local Court
4. Brief of Evidence: Police provide photos of property, stolen property reports, circumstances of discovery
5. Defence Response: Provide receipts, proof of purchase, bank statements showing lawful acquisition
6. Negotiations: Lawyer negotiates for withdrawal if proof of lawful purchase provided
7. Plea: Plead guilty or plead not guilty
8. Hearing or Sentence: Defended hearing or sentencing

Goods in custody matters typically finalized within 3-6 months.

Will I Go to Jail?

Imprisonment depends on value of property and criminal history:

Low-Value Property (Under $1,000), First Offender:

• Section 10 or fine most common
• Imprisonment extremely unlikely

Medium-Value Property ($1,000-$5,000), First Offender:

• Fine or Community Correction Order
• Imprisonment possible but uncommon

High-Value Property ($5,000+), OR Motor Vehicle, OR Repeat Offender:

• Community Correction Order or Intensive Correction Order
• Full-time custody possible for repeat offenders or very high value

Can I Get Section 10?

YES — Section 10 (no conviction) is common for goods in custody, particularly:

• Low-value property (under $1,000)
• First offender with no criminal history
• Purchased from marketplace believing it was legitimate
• Young offender (under 25)
• Good character references from Parramatta, Norwest, Castle Hill employers/community
• Early guilty plea
• Property returned to owner

How Your Parramatta, Sydney or Norwest Goods in Custody Lawyer Can Help

• Obtain purchase receipts, bank statements proving lawful acquisition
• Obtain seller details, communications showing legitimate purchase
• Challenge whether property is "reasonably suspected" of being stolen
• Challenge whether you had "custody" (property belonged to someone else)
• Negotiate with police prosecutors for charge withdrawal upon proof of lawful purchase
• Obtain character references from Parramatta, Norwest, Castle Hill employers/community
• Prepare Section 10 submissions for first offenders
• Run defended hearings establishing lawful acquisition
• Appear in Parramatta, Castle Hill, Blacktown Local Courts

Related Property & Fraud Offences

• Larceny — theft/stealing
• Obtain Property by Deception
• Fraud Offences
• Property Offences
• Mental Health Applications

External Resources

• Section 527C Crimes Act - Goods in Custody
• NSW Judicial Commission
• Legal Aid NSW