Jackson v. State

THE OFFENSE OF RECEIVING STOLEN GOODS

The Common Law

To buy or receive stolen goods, knowing them to be stolen, was a misdemeanor at common law. 1 The receiver was indictable for misprision of the felony of larceny, because of his knowing the thief and neglecting to prosecute him, or of compounding the felony, if he agreed not to prosecute him, each a substantive misdemeanor. 2 But the receiver was not an accessory to the theft because he received the goods only and not the felon. By statutes 3 W. & M., c. 9, § 4 and 5 Anne c. 31, § 5 a receiver was made an accessory after the fact. But…