What does the Doctrine of Recent Possession establish?

The Doctrine of Recent Possession establishes a legal principle that creates a connection between the possession of stolen goods and the implication of theft. This doctrine asserts that if an individual is found in possession of property that has been recently stolen, it raises a presumption that they may be involved in the theft or have knowledge of its stolen nature.

This presumption can be a significant factor in criminal cases because it allows law enforcement and the judiciary to draw conclusions about a suspect's actions based on their possession of stolen items. Essentially, it shifts the burden of proof to the individual in possession to provide a credible explanation for how they came to possess those items, thereby reinforcing the legal understanding that possession of stolen property shortly after a theft likely indicates guilt in the crime itself.

The strength of this doctrine lies in its presumption, which does not require definitive proof of theft to implicate the individual, but instead works on the basis that recent possession under these circumstances is compelling evidence suggesting wrongdoing.