{"id":363893,"date":"2013-01-28T16:34:14","date_gmt":"2013-01-28T21:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/dictionary\/definition\/possession.html"},"modified":"2013-01-28T16:34:14","modified_gmt":"2013-01-28T21:34:14","slug":"possession","status":"publish","type":"dictionary","link":"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/possession.html","title":{"rendered":"Possession"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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term:<\/p>\n

<\/h1>\n\n
\n

n<\/p><\/dt>\n

1<\/b> :<\/b> the act, fact, or condition of having control of something: as
a<\/b> :<\/b> actual possession <\/a> in this entry
b<\/b> :<\/b> constructive possession <\/a> in this entry
c<\/b> :<\/b> knowing dominion and control over a controlled substance or other contraband
d<\/b> in the civil law of Louisiana<\/i>
:<\/b> the detention or enjoyment of a corporeal thing
e<\/b> :<\/b> control or occupancy of property <\/p>\n

actual possession<\/b>
1<\/b> :<\/b> direct occupancy, use, or control of real property [had actual possession<\/i> of the land despite a lack of legal title]
2<\/b> :<\/b> direct physical custody, care, or control of property or contraband (as illegal drugs) [actual possession<\/i> is not necessary to sustain a conviction “State v. Garrison<\/i>, 896 S.W.2d 689 (1995)”] <\/p>\n

adverse possession<\/b>
:<\/b> actual possession of another’s real property that is open, hostile, exclusive, continuous, adverse to the claim of the owner, often under a claim of right or color of title, and that may give rise to title in the possessor if carried out for a specified statutory period (as ten years)
;also<\/i>
:<\/b> the method of acquiring title by such possession see also hostile possession<\/a> and notorious possession<\/a> in this entry compare prescription<\/a> <\/p>\n

civil possession<\/b>
in the civil law of Louisiana<\/i>
:<\/b> possession that exists by virtue of an intent to be the owner of a property even though one no longer occupies or has physical control of it <\/p>\n

constructive possession<\/b>
1<\/b> :<\/b> possession that exists by virtue of a right (as by title) rather than direct occupancy or control
2<\/b> :<\/b> the knowing ability and sometimes intent to exercise dominion and control over something (as illegal drugs) either directly or through others <\/p>\n

hostile possession<\/b>
:<\/b> possession (as in adverse possession) that is antagonistic to the claims of all others (as a record owner) and that is carried out with the intention to possess the property exclusively <\/p>\n

notorious possession<\/b>
:<\/b> possession (as in adverse possession) that is so conspicuous that it is generally known by people in the vicinity of the property and so gives rise to a presumption that the owner has notice of it <\/p>\n

precarious possession<\/b>
in the civil law of Louisiana<\/i>
:<\/b> possession of property that is exercised by another (as a lessee) with the permission of or on behalf of the owner see also acquisitive prescription<\/i> at prescription<\/a>
2<\/b> :<\/b> something controlled, occupied, or owned [personal s<\/i>] <\/p>\n<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n

Source: Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law \u00a91996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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