People v. Stanley

Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Possession of Weapons
Evidence
Citation
Case Number: 
No. 1-08-1017
Decision Date: 
Thursday, December 24, 2009
District: 
1st Dist.
Division/County: 
Cook Co.
Holding: 
Affirmed in part and vacated in part.
Justice: 
TOOMIN
Mens rea applicable to charge of possession of defaced weapons is knowledge, and knowledge required applies only to possessory component of offense, as the mere possession of defaced weapons is the evil sought to be deterred by the offense. ID marks on shotgun had been scratched off; State was not required to prove knowledge of character of firearm.