A felony for possession in Iowa?

[Louis_Traum]

I completely agree with you. I'd do the same thing, but I'm just curious about how the law views this sort of thing.

[PureOhms]

I believe in North Carolina it's a class I felony, but *only* if they can prove intent to commit a crime with the tools. I can't remember the exact precedents for this (I'll post them tomorrow after I dig them up), but suffice to say one person who was arrested was found with burglar's tools, a firearm, and drug paraphernalia and the court still found that there wasn't enough evidence to convict him of carrying burglars tools with the intent to commit a crime. Look up Iowa's precedent if you can, but from what I've seen most states are similar in law for possession of lock-picks so I wouldn't worry too much about just keeping them in your car.

[PureOhms]

[quote="Louis_Traum"]I have another legal question. What if you come across a car that you don't own and there is a child locked inside and the temperature is very hot. Of course first you should call the police or the fire department, but in the meantime, if you're worried about the safety of the child, would it be illegal to pop the lock on that car for the safety of the child?[/quote]

While I'm by no means an expert, my first guess would be "Yes, unless your state has specific good samaritan laws and you can prove the child was in immediate danger." I think it's still illegal to break and enter to protect someone's life directly (as in breaking into a house to stop a would-be killer) so breaking into the car to protect a car that may not be in immediate danger would most likely be illegal. Inevitably it would come down to the owner of the car pressing charges or not. Breaking into a car isn't a matter of the state like murder is.

[Capt_Tom]

I worked in law enforcement in South Carolina for some years. FOR THE MOST PART....The possession of burglary tools charge was only pressed if you were actually apprehended for a crime and it was involving a break in. Or charged with a crime and were a suspect of a break in. It is just not a good idea to have them in plain view.. or in your pocket with something illegal lying about.