For receiving stolen goods, what must the accused know upon receipt?

In the context of receiving stolen goods, the critical element that must be established is that the accused knew the goods were stolen at the time they received them. This requirement is essential to differentiate between a person who innocently acquires property and a person who knowingly benefits from the proceeds of crime.

This understanding is rooted in the legal principle that holding or dealing with stolen property can only be deemed a criminal act if there is knowledge of the property’s illicit origin. Thus, it is not sufficient for the prosecution to prove that the goods were, in fact, stolen; it must be shown that the accused had awareness of this status upon receipt.

On the other hand, while the value of the goods, the seller's identity, and the nature of the goods may carry evidentiary weight in different contexts, they do not establish the mens rea (mental state) necessary for the offense of receiving stolen property. Knowledge that the goods are stolen is the defining factor that focuses on the culpable state of mind of the accused.