Recent Possession: Difference between revisions

From Criminal Law Notebook
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
m Text replacement - "} at para ([0-9]+)<" to "}{{at|$1}}<"
m Text replacement - "\{\{fr\|([^\}\}]+)\}\}" to "fr:$1"
 
(41 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
<!--****-->
[[fr:Possession_r%C3%A9cente]]
{{Currency2|January|2014}}
{{LevelOne}}{{HeaderEvidence}}
{{LevelOne}}{{HeaderEvidence}}
{{HeaderLiability}}
{{HeaderLiability}}
==General Principles==
==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 ''R v Terrence'', [1983] 1 SCR 357, [http://canlii.ca/t/1txhc 1983 CanLII 51] (SCC){{perSCC|Ritchie J}}<br>  
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>  
''R v Kowlyk'', [1988] 2 SCR 59, [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftd7 1988 CanLII 50] (SCC){{perSCC|McIntyre J}}</ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Kowlyk|1ftd7|1988 CanLII 50 (SCC)|[1988] 2 SCR 59}}{{perSCC-H|McIntyre J}}</ref>


'''Test for Recent Possession'''<br>
; 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>
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>
''R v Gagnon'',  [http://canlii.ca/t/1pxb5 2006 MBCA 125] (CanLII){{perMBCA|Hamilton JA}}<br>
{{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>
</ref>  
''R v Newton'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1z9zd 1976 CanLII 157] (SCC), [1977] 1 SCR 399{{perSCC|Dickson J}}, at page 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>
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>
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>
''R v Thatcher'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftkz 1987 CanLII 53] (SCC), (1987), 57 C.R. (3d) 97{{perSCC|Dickson CJ}}</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>
A jury must be instructed on the ability to make a finding of guilt on a prima facie case.<ref>
see Newton{{supra}} at p. 405</ref>
see {{supra1|Newton}}{{atp|405}}</ref>


'''Circumstantial Factors'''<br>
; Circumstantial Factors
When considering whether to make the inference of recent possession, the trier-of-fact must take into account all the circumstances.<ref>''R v Abernathy'', [http://canlii.ca/t/4z36 2002 BCCA 8] (CanLII){{perBCCA|Smith JA}}</ref>
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>  
This includes common sense factors such as the amount of time that passed between possession and the offence.<ref>  
{{supra1|Gagnon}}{{at|13}}</ref>
{{supra1|Gagnon}}{{atL|1pxb5|13}}</ref>


Factors to consider whether the possession was "recent" includes:<ref>Gagnon{{supra}}</ref>
Factors to consider whether the possession was "recent" includes:<ref>
{{supra1|Gagnon}}</ref>
# the nature of the object;
# the nature of the object;
# the rareness of the object;
# the rareness of the object;
Line 29: Line 33:
# the ease of identification.
# the ease of identification.


'''Timeliness of Possession'''<br>
; Timeliness of Possession
Recency is a matter of circumstances such as type and size of the items.<ref>  
Recency is a matter of circumstances such as type and size of the items.<ref>  
''R v Killam'', [1973] 5 W.W.R. 3, [http://canlii.ca/t/gc4t2 1973 CanLII 1347] (BC CA){{perBCCA|MacLean JA}} at para 45
{{CanLIIRP|Killam|gc4t2|1973 CanLII 1347 (BCCA)|[1973] 5 WWR 3}}{{perBCCA|MacLean JA}}{{atL|gc4t2|45}}
</ref>
</ref>
In certain cases recency can include periods longer than a month.<ref>
In certain cases recency can include periods longer than a month.<ref>
e.g. ''R v Rimmer'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fnj3h 2011 BCCA 411] (CanLII){{perBCCA|Hall JA}}</ref>
e.g. {{CanLIIRP|Rimmer|fnj3h|2011 BCCA 411 (CanLII)|311 BCAC 227}}{{perBCCA|Hall JA}}</ref>


{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}
Line 41: Line 45:
{{seealso|Burden of Proof#"Might Reasonably Be True" Test}}
{{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>  
Where the doctrine has been invoked, the Defence can counter the presumption by way of a reasonable explanation.<ref>  
''R v Graham'', [1974] SCR 206, [http://canlii.ca/t/1xtzl 1972 CanLII 72]{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}<br>  
{{CanLIIRP|Graham|1xtzl|1972 CanLII 172 (SCC)|[1974] SCR 206}}{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}<br>  
''R v Nickerson'' (1977) 37 CCC (2d) 337 (NSCA), [http://canlii.ca/t/htz2n 1977 CanLII 1914] (NS CA){{perNSCA|MacDonald JA}}<br>  
{{CanLIIRP|Nickerson|htz2n|1977 CanLII 1914 (NSCA)| (1977) 37 CCC (2d) 337 (NSCA)}}{{perNSCA|MacDonald JA}}<br>  
''R v Newton'', [1977] 1 SCR 312 [http://canlii.ca/t/1z9zd 1976 CanLII 57]{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}<br>  
{{CanLIIRP|Newton|1z9zd|1976 CanLII 57 (SCC)|[1977] 1 SCR 312}}{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}<br>  
R v L'Heureux, [1985] 2 SCR 159, [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftxh 1985 CanLII 49]{{perSCC|Lamer J}}<br>  
{{CanLIIRP|L'Heureux|1ftxh|1985 CanLII 49 (SCC)|[1985] 2 SCR 159}}{{perSCC|Lamer J}}<br>  
''R v Kowlyk'', [1988] 2 SCR 59, [http://canlii.ca/t/1ftd7 1988 CanLII 50] (SCC){{perSCC|McIntyre J}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Kowlyk|1ftd7|1988 CanLII 50 (SCC)|[1988] 2 SCR 59}}{{perSCC-H|McIntyre J}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


The presumption may be rebutted by an explanation (either in testimony or prior statement) that "might reasonably be true".<ref>
The presumption may be rebutted by an explanation (either in testimony or prior statement) that "might reasonably be true."<ref>
''R v McKenzie'', [http://canlii.ca/t/gwg5x 1972 CanLII 173] (SCC), [1974] SCR 233{{perSCC|Ritchie J}} at p. 234 (SCR)<br>
{{CanLIIRP|McKenzie|gwg5x|1972 CanLII 173 (SCC)|[1974] SCR 233}}{{perSCC|Ritchie J}}{{atp|234}} (SCR)<br>
{{supra1|Kowlyk}}{{at|12}}<br>
{{supra1|Kowlyk}}{{atL|1ftd7|12}}<br>
</ref>
</ref>


Latest revision as of 14:38, 14 July 2024

This page was last substantively updated or reviewed January 2014. (Rev. # 95487)

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.[1]

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.[2] 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.[3]

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.[4]

A jury must be instructed on the ability to make a finding of guilt on a prima facie case.[5]

Circumstantial Factors

When considering whether to make the inference of recent possession, the trier-of-fact must take into account all the circumstances.[6] This includes common sense factors such as the amount of time that passed between possession and the offence.[7]

Factors to consider whether the possession was "recent" includes:[8]

  1. the nature of the object;
  2. the rareness of the object;
  3. the readiness with which the object can, and is likely to, pass to another; and
  4. the ease of identification.
Timeliness of Possession

Recency is a matter of circumstances such as type and size of the items.[9] In certain cases recency can include periods longer than a month.[10]

  1. ↑ see R v Terrence, 1983 CanLII 51 (SCC), [1983] 1 SCR 357, per Ritchie J
    R v Kowlyk, 1988 CanLII 50 (SCC), [1988] 2 SCR 59, per McIntyre J
  2. ↑ R v Gagnon, 2006 MBCA 125 (CanLII), 214 CCC (3d) 115, per Hamilton JA
  3. ↑ R v Newton, 1976 CanLII 157 (SCC), 28 CCC (2d) 286, per Dickson J, at p. 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.")
  4. ↑ R v Thatcher, 1987 CanLII 53 (SCC), 57 CR (3d) 97, per Dickson CJ
  5. ↑ see Newton, supra, at p. 405
  6. ↑ R v Abernathy, 2002 BCCA 8 (CanLII), 161 BCAC 247, per Smith JA
  7. ↑ Gagnon, supra, at para 13
  8. ↑ Gagnon, supra
  9. ↑ R v Killam, 1973 CanLII 1347 (BCCA), [1973] 5 WWR 3, per MacLean JA, at para 45
  10. ↑ e.g. R v Rimmer, 2011 BCCA 411 (CanLII), 311 BCAC 227, per Hall JA

Rebutting the Presumption

See also: 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.[1]

The presumption may be rebutted by an explanation (either in testimony or prior statement) that "might reasonably be true."[2]

The explanation can be an unsworn statement prior to trial where it is either successfully tendered by the Crown or admitted under res gestae.[3]

  1. ↑ R v Graham, 1972 CanLII 172 (SCC), [1974] SCR 206, per Ritchie J
    R v Nickerson, 1977 CanLII 1914 (NSCA), (1977) 37 CCC (2d) 337 (NSCA), per MacDonald JA
    R v Newton, 1976 CanLII 57 (SCC), [1977] 1 SCR 312, per Ritchie J
    R v L'Heureux, 1985 CanLII 49 (SCC), [1985] 2 SCR 159, per Lamer J
    R v Kowlyk, 1988 CanLII 50 (SCC), [1988] 2 SCR 59, per McIntyre J
  2. ↑ R v McKenzie, 1972 CanLII 173 (SCC), [1974] SCR 233, per Ritchie J, at p. 234 (SCR)
    Kowlyk, supra, at para 12
  3. ↑ Graham, supra

Case Digests

Related

Retrieved from "https://criminalnotebook.ca/index.php?title=Recent_Possession&oldid=95487"