NCJ Number
53788
Journal
Police Review Volume: 85 Dated: (DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 1818-1822
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS DISCUSSION OF BRITISH CRIMINAL LAW EXPLAINS SECTION 22 OF THE THEFT ACT OF 1968, WHICH DEFINES 'HANDLING STOLEN GOODS.' IT CONTAINS NUMEROUS EXAMPLES AND GUIDELINES FOR ARRESTING PATROL OFFICERS.
Abstract
UNDER SECTION 22 A PERSON HANDLES STOLEN GOODS IF (OTHERWISE THAN IN THE COURSE OF THE STEALING) HE, 'KNOWING OR BELIEVING THEM TO BE STOLEN, DISHONESTLY RECEIVES THE GOODS, OR DISHONESTLY UNDERTAKES OR ASSISTS IN THEIR RETENTION, REMOVAL, DISPOSAL, OR REALIZATION BY OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANOTHER PERSON, OR IF HE ARRANGES TO DO SO.' THIS PARAGRAPH BY PARAGRAPH EXPLANATION CONSIDERS THE ELEMENT OF DISHONESTY, THE DEFINITION OF 'STOLEN GOODS,' THE PORTION OF THE ACT WHICH READS 'OTHERWISE THAN IN THE COURSE OF STEALING,' METHODS COMMONLY USED IN THE HANDLING OF THE STOLEN GOODS, AND THE MENS REA OF THE OFFENSE. THROUGHOUT SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE FOR COLLECTING EVIDENCE. RULES OF EVIDENCE RELEVANT TO THESE CASES ARE DISCUSSED ALONG WITH POINTS WHICH MUST BE PROVED FOR SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION. OFFICERS ARE REMINDED TO GET WARRANTS OR WRITTEN AUTHORIZATIONS FOR SEARCHES. A FINAL PARAGRAPH NOTES THAT SUCH OFFENSES MAY BE TRIED AS EITHER AN ARRESTABLE OFFENSE (COMPARABLE TO A FELONY) OR IN A MISDEMEANOR CATEGORY. (GLR)