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NC · jury_instructions

N.C.P.I.—Crim. 104.40

DOCTRINE OF RECENT POSSESSION

activein force · 2018-06-01 – presentas-observed

First, that property was stolen.

Second, that the defendant had possession of this property. A

person possesses property when that person is aware of its presence,

and has (either alone or together with others) both the power and intent

to control its disposition or use.

NOTE WELL: If constructive possession of the stolen

property is an issue, or if an amplified definition of

actual possession is needed, the trial judge should

refer to N.C.P.I.-Crim. 104.41 for further instructions.

And Third, that the defendant had possession of this property so

soon after it was stolen and under such circumstances as to make it

unlikely that the defendant obtained possession honestly.

If you find these things from the evidence beyond a reasonable

doubt, you may consider them together with all other facts and

circumstances in deciding whether or not the defendant is guilty of

[robbery] [breaking or entering] [larceny] (name other crime).1

History

N.C.P.I.—Crim. 104.40 (Replacement June 2018). Prepared by the North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges' Committee on Pattern Jury Instructions, assisted by the UNC School of Government; published by the School of Government.

Provenance

Source
sog.unc.edu
Retrieved
2026-09-24
Edition
2026-09-24
Content hash
5a670ca9b5b59121149060add957396c2999f75efc21be4bafd6bd5981f22d16
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