In what circumstances will the court reverse its instruction that a defendant was in conscious possession of recently stolen property?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from People v. Aguilera, F073866 (Cal. App. 2020):

In People v. Prieto (2003) 30 Cal.4th 226, the trial court instructed the jury that if it found "'that a defendant was in conscious possession of recently stolen property, the fact of such possession is not by itself sufficient to permit an inference that the defendant ... is guilty of the crimes charged.'" (Id. at p. 248.) The problem with this instruction was that it was designed for cases where possession of stolen property was charged along with robbery, burglary, theft, or receiving stolen property but was used in a case where the defendant was charged with rape and murder. (Ibid.) Thus, the instruction wrongly hinted that possessing stolen property could inform whether one was a rapist and murderer. (Id. at p. 249.) The defendant argued this error mandated reversal because it lowered the prosecution's burden of proof. This argument was rejected because the

Page 108

Other Questions


How have courts interpreted Calcim No. 376 of the Criminal Code for the purpose of instructing a jury not to infer guilt from a defendant's conscious possession of recently stolen goods? (California, United States of America)
What is the difference between cautionary instruction regarding a defendant's statements and the rule that possession of recently stolen property is insufficient to establish guilt? (California, United States of America)
When is a defendant required to prove possession of stolen property to convict him of the crime of receiving stolen property? (California, United States of America)
Is there any error in giving the jury instructions concerning false and misleading statements or possession of recently stolen property? (California, United States of America)
What is the effect of the "slight evidence" instruction on possession of recently stolen property? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant appeal his conviction for possession of child pornography on the basis that the trial court failed to instruct the jury on the defense of transitory possession? (California, United States of America)
What evidence is sufficient to convict a defendant of possession of stolen property under the CALJIC No.15 instruction? (California, United States of America)
Does a party have to complain to the Court on appeal that an instruction in a criminal case instructing a jury to convict a defendant of possessing all six firearms was "too general or incomplete"? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be convicted of possessing stolen property even if the vehicles and parts were not stolen? (California, United States of America)
In what circumstances will a court change the charge of simple possession of marijuana to the charged offense of possession of possession for sale? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.