What must one have in order to be charged with possession of stolen goods?

To be charged with possession of stolen goods, one must demonstrate knowledge or reasonable belief that the property is stolen. This means that the individual must be aware that the items in their possession were obtained through illegal means, or have a reasonable assumption based on the circumstances that the property was not acquired lawfully.

Possession alone is not sufficient for a charge; the individual must also contribute to the culpability by being aware of the nature of the property. This requirement is crucial because it helps distinguish between someone who may coincidentally possess stolen items without knowledge of their origin and someone who knowingly deals in stolen property, thereby contributing to the criminal activity.

The other options, while they might appear relevant in different contexts relating to property crimes, do not fulfill the necessary legal criteria for possession charges. For instance, ownership of the property is not relevant since one can possess stolen goods without owning them. Similarly, proof of theft pertains to the act of stealing rather than the possession of the stolen property itself. Intention to return the property does not negate the possession charge, as individuals can still face legal repercussions for knowingly possessing stolen goods, regardless of their plans to return them.