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What defines possession of stolen property?

Answer:

Briefly, is it stolen, and do you have it?

A Yes answer to these questions probably means you are in possession of stolen property.

Yes but. . .

There is usually a mens rea (guilty mind) element of the crime. You usually have to know or have a reasonable expectation that it is stolen. For example, if you "buy" a 2008 Escalade for four crack rocks you should have a reasonable expectation that it is stolen. On the other hand, if you paid $30,000 for it and got a title (albeit a forgery) you would not knowingly be in possession of a stolen vehicle.

First answer by AKMark. Last edit by CriminalJustice Professional. Contributor trust: 22 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 2 [recommend question].

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