An Inquiry on the Possibility of Crime against Joint Tenancy by Partner

In this paper the probability of the commission of offence while using a shared property will be discussed. Diverse ideas and opinions have been presented concerning this issue which can be divided into two groups, in favor and against the issue, indicating the significance of it. There are those who believe that because the property which is the subject of the offence belongs to someone else and offender is not the sole owner, no offence has been committed. Moreover they believe that the offender has the ownership right in every part of the shared property and the property cannot be referred to as the property of others. Consequently, there is no probability of the commission of offence. On the other hand, there are those who believe that it is likely to prove the commission of offence by using a shared property because the partner is able to benefit or suffer from the property. To this effect, the writer of this paper has concluded that the commission of offence is likely by using a shared property. However, due to the principle of legality of crime and punishment and abridge interpretation in favor of the accused person, the judge shall not be allowed to inflict penalty upon the offender of the offence committed by using a shared property other than serious theft and destruction.