NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1965 SESSION

CHAPTER 1118
SENATE BILL 377

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT FAILURE TO RETURN PERSONAL PROPERTY BY LESSEE SHALL CONSTITUTE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF INTENT TO COMMIT A MISDEMEANOR.

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1.  Article 24, Chapter 14 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, is hereby amended by adding a new Section to be designated as G.S. 14-168.3, to read as follows:
"§ 14-168.3.  Prima Facie Rule of Evidence as to Intent to Convert Property. It shall be prima facie evidence of intent to commit a crime as set forth in G.S. 14-167, 14-168, and 14-168.1 when one who has, by written instrument, leased or rented the personal property of another:
(a)	Failed or refused to return such property to its owner after the lease, bailment, or rental agreement has expired,
(1)	Within ten (10) days, and
(2)	Within forty-eight (48) hours after written demand for return thereof is personally served or given by registered mail delivered to the last known address provided in such lease or rental agreement, or
(b)	When the leasing or rental of such personal property is obtained by presentation of identification to the lessor or renter thereof which is false, fictitious, or knowingly not current as to name, address, place of employment, or other identification."
Sec. 2.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.
Sec. 3.  This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 16th day of June, 1965.