Court Opinion

ID: 9787127
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 00:11:08.548863+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:36:52.446202
License: Public Domain

KENNARD, J.
I concur in the result.
In People v. Mijares (1971) 6 Cal.3d 415 [99 Cal.Rptr. 139, 491 P.2d 1115], this court held that momentary handling of a controlled substance for the sole purpose of disposal is not possession. (Id. at pp. 420-422.) Although the majority repeatedly states that in Mijares this court held that momentary handling of a controlled substance is a “defense” to a charge of possessing that substance (maj. opn., ante, at pp. 1182, 1185, 1186, 1190-1192), this court did not there create or recognize any affirmative defense to such a charge. Rather, this court in Mijares simply noted that the issue of momentary handling “goes to the very essence of the offense.” (6 Cal.3d at p. 423.) Thus, unlike the majority, I would reaffirm Mijares without modification.