# Re: Possesion is Nine-Tenths of the Law

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-possesion-is-nine-tenths-of-the-law/427426>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [November 22, 2007, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-possesion-is-nine-tenths-of-the-law/427426 "2007-11-22T14:57:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Zedfoil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zedfoil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zedfoil)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2007, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-possesion-is-nine-tenths-of-the-law/427426/1 "2007-11-22T14:57:52Z")

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In law class in high school, about forty years ago, we were told possession is TWO points of the law.

You claim it’s yours and you have it.

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**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2007, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-possesion-is-nine-tenths-of-the-law/427426/2 "2007-11-22T15:05:20Z")

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I always think of it in another context. When someone is cought with contraband and claim it is not theirs, they’re still screwed. Possesion is nine tenths of the law.

It is customary to provide a link to what you are talking about.

Welcome to the Dope.

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**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2007, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-possesion-is-nine-tenths-of-the-law/427426/3 "2007-11-22T15:11:36Z")

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Here ya go. [Link.](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mpossess910.htm)  
Reading that article I just knew it was by Gfactor. Nice work as usual.

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**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-possesion-is-nine-tenths-of-the-law/427426/4 "2007-11-22T15:31:12Z")

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A previous thread that may be of interest: [Possession is 9/10ths of the Law - Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=407695)

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**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-possesion-is-nine-tenths-of-the-law/427426/5 "2007-11-22T22:07:48Z")

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I love the fact that the OP and thread title read **Repossession is 9/10 of the Law** (minus the colon). Sounds like the slogan of a business from _My Name is Earl_.

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**Author:** ![Zedfoil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/8edcca/32.png) [@Zedfoil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zedfoil)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-possesion-is-nine-tenths-of-the-law/427426/6 "2007-11-24T06:28:28Z")

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[QUOTE=askeptic]  
I always think of it in another context. When someone is cought with contraband and claim it is not theirs, they’re still screwed. Possesion is nine tenths of the law.

It is customary to provide a link to what you are talking about.

Welcome to the Dope.  
[/QUOTE]

When I fread your comment, askeptic I wanted to say there really wasn’t much of an internet forty years ago, but your link makes it clear.

Thanks much and will do.