What requirement is necessary for possession of burglars' tools to be a crime?

Possession of burglars' tools becomes a criminal offense when an individual has them without any lawful reason for possession. This means that simply having tools that could be used for burglary is not enough to constitute a crime on its own; the context and intent matter significantly. For instance, a locksmith might possess similar tools but is doing so with a lawful purpose related to their profession.

The legal framework recognizes that intentions and circumstances around possession are critical. Without lawful reason, the individual may be presumed to intend to commit a crime, specifically a burglary. This emphasis on motive and context underpins the legal interpretation of possessing such tools.

In contrast, options that suggest evidence of possession being in plain sight, licensing, or usage without permission do not adequately capture the core legal requirement that links the possession of these tools to the intent to commit a crime. These aspects may contribute to an arrest or investigation but are not essential criteria that define the crime of possessing burglars’ tools in themselves.