View source for Recent Possession

[[fr:Possession_r%C3%A9cente]]
{{Currency2|January|2014}}
{{LevelOne}}{{HeaderEvidence}}
{{HeaderLiability}}
==General Principles==
The doctrine of recent possession permits the court to make the inference that the possessor of the property had knowledge that the property was obtained in the commission of the offence, and in certain circumstances was also a party to the initial offence.<ref>see {{CanLIIRP|Terrence|1txhc|1983 CanLII 51 (SCC)|[1983] 1 SCR 357}}{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|Kowlyk|1ftd7|1988 CanLII 50 (SCC)|[1988] 2 SCR 59}}{{perSCC-H|McIntyre J}}</ref>

; Test for Recent Possession
To permit the inference, the Crown must establish 1) that the accused was found in possession of the item and 2) that the item was recently stolen. Where it can be said that the accused was found in recent possession without explanation to trier of fact ''may'', but not necessarily, draw the inference regarding the accused's role in the theft or related offences.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Gagnon|1pxb5|2006 MBCA 125 (CanLII)|214 CCC (3d) 115}}{{perMBCA|Hamilton JA}}<br>
</ref> 
When these elements exist, a ''prima facie'' case has been made out, which, absent any explanation, may permit the trier-of-fact to make a finding of guilt.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Newton|1z9zd|1976 CanLII 157 (SCC)|28 CCC (2d) 286}}{{perSCC|Dickson J}}{{atp|405}} ("...where it has been established that the accused was in possession of recently stolen goods and where no explanation whatever has been advanced,... raises a prima facie case upon which [the trier is] entitled to bring in a verdict of guilty.")</ref>

It is not necessary to go beyond the test for recent possession and determine the accused's degree of participation. That is, whether the accused was a principle or accomplice.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Thatcher|1ftkz|1987 CanLII 53 (SCC)|57 CR (3d) 97}}{{perSCC|Dickson CJ}}</ref>

A jury must be instructed on the ability to make a finding of guilt on a prima facie case.<ref>
see {{supra1|Newton}}{{atp|405}}</ref>

; Circumstantial Factors
When considering whether to make the inference of recent possession, the trier-of-fact must take into account all the circumstances.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Abernathy|4z36|2002 BCCA 8 (CanLII)|161 BCAC 247}}{{perBCCA|Smith JA}}</ref>
This includes common sense factors such as the amount of time that passed between possession and the offence.<ref> 
{{supra1|Gagnon}}{{atL|1pxb5|13}}</ref>

Factors to consider whether the possession was "recent" includes:<ref>
{{supra1|Gagnon}}</ref>
# the nature of the object;
# the rareness of the object;
# the readiness with which the object can, and is likely to, pass to another; and
# the ease of identification.

; Timeliness of Possession
Recency is a matter of circumstances such as type and size of the items.<ref> 
{{CanLIIRP|Killam|gc4t2|1973 CanLII 1347 (BCCA)|[1973] 5 WWR 3}}{{perBCCA|MacLean JA}}{{atL|gc4t2|45}}
</ref>
In certain cases recency can include periods longer than a month.<ref>
e.g. {{CanLIIRP|Rimmer|fnj3h|2011 BCCA 411 (CanLII)|311 BCAC 227}}{{perBCCA|Hall JA}}</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Rebutting the Presumption==
{{seealso|Burden of Proof#"Might Reasonably Be True" Test}}
Where the doctrine has been invoked, the Defence can counter the presumption by way of a reasonable explanation.<ref> 
{{CanLIIRP|Graham|1xtzl|1972 CanLII 172 (SCC)|[1974] SCR 206}}{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|Nickerson|htz2n|1977 CanLII 1914 (NSCA)| (1977) 37 CCC (2d) 337 (NSCA)}}{{perNSCA|MacDonald JA}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|Newton|1z9zd|1976 CanLII 57 (SCC)|[1977] 1 SCR 312}}{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|L'Heureux|1ftxh|1985 CanLII 49 (SCC)|[1985] 2 SCR 159}}{{perSCC|Lamer J}}<br> 
{{CanLIIRP|Kowlyk|1ftd7|1988 CanLII 50 (SCC)|[1988] 2 SCR 59}}{{perSCC-H|McIntyre J}}<br>
</ref>

The presumption may be rebutted by an explanation (either in testimony or prior statement) that "might reasonably be true."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|McKenzie|gwg5x|1972 CanLII 173 (SCC)|[1974] SCR 233}}{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}{{atp|234}} (SCR)<br>
{{supra1|Kowlyk}}{{atL|1ftd7|12}}<br>
</ref>

The explanation can be an unsworn statement prior to trial where it is either successfully tendered by the Crown or admitted under res gestae.<ref> 
{{supra1|Graham}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Case Digests==
* [[Recent Possession (Cases)]]

==Related==
* [[Inferences]]
* [[Circumstantial Evidence]]