Receiving Stolen Property Laws by State (2026)
How each state handles receiving stolen property and the penalties, from each state's code.
| State | Receiving stolen property |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Receiving stolen property (receiving, keeping or getting rid of property a person knows or has reasonable grounds to believe was stolen) is graded by value. Over $2,500 is first degree, a Class B felony (2 to 20 years). $1,500 to $2,500, or any stolen firearm, or a dealer who buys without reasonable inquiry, is second degree, a Class C felony (1 year and 1 day to 10 years). Over $500 up to $1,499 is third degree, a Class D felony (up to 5 years). $500 or less is fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year). Being found with stolen property twice in the past year, or with recently stolen goods, is evidence the person knew it was stolen. Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-8-16, 13A-8-17, 13A-8-18, 13A-8-18.1, 13A-8-19; §§ 13A-5-6, 13A-5-7 |
| Alaska | Buying, receiving, keeping, hiding or disposing of stolen property with reckless disregard that it was stolen is 'theft by receiving,' graded by value like other theft. It is a class B felony (up to 10 years) at $25,000 or more; a class C felony (up to 5 years) at $750 to under $25,000, or if the property is a firearm or explosive, regardless of value; a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year) at $250 to under $750; and a class B misdemeanor (up to 90 days) under $250. Repeat theft convictions can raise lower-value cases to a higher degree. AS 11.46.190, 11.46.120, 11.46.130, 11.46.140, 11.46.150; AS 12.55.035, 12.55.125, 12.55.135 |
| Arizona | Arizona treats receiving or controlling stolen property as theft: controlling property of another knowing or having reason to know it was stolen is graded by value under the general theft statute (a class 1 misdemeanor under $1,000; a class 6 felony at $1,000 up to a class 2 felony at $25,000 or more). Dealing in stolen property is a separate crime, 'trafficking in stolen property': recklessly trafficking in stolen property is second degree, a class 3 felony, and knowingly organizing, financing, directing or supervising both the theft and the trafficking is first degree, a class 2 felony. A.R.S. §§ 13-1802(A)(5), (G), 13-2307; § 13-702(D) |
| Arkansas | Theft by receiving (receiving, keeping or disposing of stolen property of another, knowing or having good reason to believe it was stolen) is graded by value: $25,000 or more is a Class B felony (5 to 20 years); more than $5,000 but less than $25,000, or a firearm worth $2,500 or more, is a Class C felony (3 to 10 years); more than $1,000 up to $5,000, a credit or debit card or account number, or a firearm worth less than $2,500, is a Class D felony (up to 6 years); anything else is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year). The court may add up to 5 years for a felony involving stolen nonferrous metal. Ark. Code § 5-36-106; §§ 5-4-201, 5-4-401 |
| California | Buying, receiving, hiding or selling property while knowing it was stolen or obtained by theft or extortion is 'receiving stolen property.' If the property is worth more than $950, it is punishable by up to 1 year in county jail or a felony term under Pen. Code 1170(h) (16 months, 2 or 3 years), so it can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. If the property is worth $950 or less, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in county jail, unless the person has a prior conviction for certain serious or violent offenses or a registrable sex offense. A person cannot be convicted of both stealing and receiving the same property. Cal. Pen. Code 496(a); Pen. Code 17, 18, 19, 1170(h) |
| Colorado | Colorado no longer has a separate theft-by-receiving offense; receiving, pawning or getting rid of property a person knows or believes was stolen is charged as theft and graded by value: under $300 a petty offense, $300 to under $1,000 a class 2 misdemeanor, $1,000 to under $2,000 a class 1 misdemeanor, $2,000 to under $5,000 a class 6 felony, $5,000 to under $20,000 a class 5 felony, $20,000 to under $100,000 a class 4 felony, $100,000 to under $1 million a class 3 felony, and $1 million or more a class 2 felony. Thefts within six months, or against the same person in one scheme, can be added together. C.R.S. §§ 18-4-401(1), (2), (4), 18-4-410 (repealed); §§ 18-1.3-401, 18-1.3-501 |
| Connecticut | Receiving, keeping or disposing of property while knowing or believing it was probably stolen is a form of larceny ('larceny by receiving stolen property'), graded by value like other larceny: $500 or less, sixth degree (class C misdemeanor, up to 3 months); over $500, fifth degree (class B misdemeanor, up to 6 months); over $1,000, fourth degree (class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year); over $2,000, third degree (class D felony, up to 5 years); over $10,000, second degree (class C felony, 1 to 10 years); over $20,000, first degree (class B felony, 1 to 20 years). It is not a crime if the property was taken in order to return it to the owner. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-119(8), 53a-122 to 53a-125b; §§ 53a-35a, 53a-36 |
| Delaware | Receiving stolen property (intentionally receiving, keeping or disposing of another's property while knowing or believing it was stolen) is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year), but a class G felony (up to 2 years) if the property is worth $1,500 or more or the person has two earlier convictions for receiving stolen property. Knowledge is presumed in some situations, such as buying property far below its reasonable value or having property with altered serial numbers. Selling stolen property is a separate offense with the same grading. 11 Del. C. §§ 851, 852, 852A; 11 Del. C. §§ 4205, 4206 |
| District of Columbia | Receiving stolen property (buying, receiving, possessing or taking control of property while knowing or having reason to believe it was stolen) is punishable by up to 7 years in prison if the property is worth $1,000 or more, and up to 180 days if it has some lesser value. Fines are set by the general D.C. fine schedule (up to $25,000 or $1,000, respectively). D.C. Code §§ 22-3232, 22-3571.01 |
| Florida | Florida treats knowingly obtaining or using another person's property as theft, graded by value: under $100 is petit theft (second-degree misdemeanor, up to 60 days), $100 to under $750 is a first-degree misdemeanor (up to 1 year), $750 to under $20,000 is a third-degree felony (up to 5 years), $20,000 to under $100,000 is a second-degree felony (up to 15 years), and $100,000 or more is a first-degree felony (up to 30 years). Dealing in stolen property (selling or disposing of property, or buying, receiving or possessing it with intent to sell, when the person knows or should know it was stolen) is a second-degree felony, and organizing or directing a theft and then trafficking in the property is a first-degree felony. Fla. Stat. §§ 812.012(3), (8), 812.014, 812.019; §§ 775.082, 775.083 |
| Georgia | Theft by receiving stolen property (receiving, disposing of or keeping property one knows or should know was stolen, unless the purpose is to return it to the owner) is punished on Georgia's general theft scale: a misdemeanor (up to 12 months) up to $1,500, 1 to 5 years for more than $1,500 up to $5,000, 1 to 10 years for $5,000 up to $25,000, and 2 to 20 years for more than $24,999.99. A third theft conviction is a felony (1 to 5 years) regardless of value, though the judge may impose a misdemeanor sentence. The thief does not have to be convicted first. O.C.G.A. §§ 16-8-7, 16-8-12(a)(1); § 17-10-3 |
| Hawaii | Receiving stolen property (intentionally receiving, keeping or disposing of another's property knowing it was stolen, intending to deprive the owner) is a form of theft graded by value: $250 or less is theft in the fourth degree (petty misdemeanor, up to 30 days); more than $250 is third degree (misdemeanor, up to 1 year); more than $750 is second degree (class C felony, 5 years); and more than $20,000 is first degree (class B felony, 10 years). Theft of a firearm, explosives or a motor vehicle, or theft from the person of someone 60 or older, is first degree regardless of value. HRS §§ 708-830(7), 708-830.5, 708-831, 708-832, 708-833 |
| Idaho | Receiving, keeping, hiding, possessing or disposing of property while knowing it is stolen (or under circumstances that would reasonably make a person believe it is stolen) is a form of theft in Idaho, and is graded like any other theft. It is grand theft, a felony punishable by 1 to 14 years in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both, when the property is worth more than $1,000 or is a firearm, a check or financial transaction card, or livestock over $150; smaller thefts that are part of one scheme may be added together. Otherwise it is petit theft, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. Receiving or possessing a stolen vehicle is a separate felony. Idaho Code §§ 18-2403(4), 18-2407, 18-2408, 49-228 |
| Illinois | Receiving stolen property is a form of theft in Illinois: obtaining control over stolen property knowing it was stolen, or in circumstances that would reasonably make a person believe it was stolen. Grades follow the theft value tiers: up to $500 is a Class A misdemeanor (under 1 year), or a Class 4 felony with a prior theft-type conviction; more than $500 up to $10,000 is a Class 3 felony (2 to 5 years); more than $10,000 up to $100,000 is a Class 2 felony (3 to 7 years); more than $100,000 up to $500,000 is a Class 1 felony (4 to 15 years); more than $500,000 up to $1,000,000 is a non-probationable Class 1 felony; and more than $1,000,000 is a Class X felony (6 to 30 years). Grades are one step higher if the property was taken from a school, place of worship or the government. 720 ILCS 5/16-1(a)(4), (b); 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-25 to -65 |
| Indiana | Indiana's theft law, in the chapter titled 'Theft, Conversion, and Receiving Stolen Property', covers receiving and possessing stolen property: 'exert control' includes obtaining, concealing, selling or possessing property. Theft is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year) when the value is under $750; a Level 6 felony (6 months to 2 1/2 years) from $750 to under $50,000, or for a motor vehicle, vehicle part or domestic animal, or with a prior theft, conversion, robbery or burglary conviction; and a Level 5 felony (1 to 6 years) at $50,000 or more, for a firearm, or for certain safety-critical metal. Value is fair market value when and where the offense occurred. A dealer who buys or sells property whose serial or identification number has been removed or altered commits a Class A misdemeanor, or a Level 6 felony if it is worth $1,000 or more or the dealer has a prior conviction. IC 35-43-4-1(a), (c), 35-43-4-2, 35-43-4-2.3; IC 35-50-2-4 to -7, 35-50-3-2 to -4 |
| Iowa | Exercising control over stolen property while knowing or having reasonable cause to believe it was stolen is theft in Iowa (unless the purpose is to promptly return it to the owner or police), and is graded by value like other theft. Over $10,000 is first-degree theft (class C felony, up to 10 years); over $1,500 up to $10,000 is second degree (class D felony, up to 5 years); over $750 up to $1,500 is third degree (aggravated misdemeanor, up to 2 years); over $300 up to $750 is fourth degree (serious misdemeanor, up to 1 year); and $300 or less is fifth degree (simple misdemeanor, up to 30 days). Having property stolen from two or more people on separate occasions, or buying it far below its value as a dealer, lets a jury infer knowledge. Iowa Code §§ 714.1(4), 714.2, 902.9, 903.1 |
| Kansas | Obtaining control over stolen property or services, knowing they were stolen by someone else, with intent to permanently deprive the owner, is a form of theft in Kansas and is graded by value. It is a class A nonperson misdemeanor below $1,500 (up to 1 year and $2,500); a severity level 9 nonperson felony from $1,500 to under $25,000; severity level 7 from $25,000 to under $100,000; and severity level 5 at $100,000 or more. Theft of $50 to under $1,500 is also a severity level 9 felony for someone with two or more theft convictions in the past five years, and a stolen firearm under $25,000 is a severity level 9 felony. Felony prison ranges come from the sentencing grid, which combines the severity level with criminal history. K.S.A. 21-5801(a)(4), (b), 21-6602, 21-6611, 21-6804 |
| Kentucky | Receiving, keeping or disposing of someone else's property while knowing or having reason to believe it was stolen (unless meant to return it to the owner) is receiving stolen property, and possessing recently stolen property is prima facie evidence of knowledge. It is a Class B misdemeanor under $500; a Class A misdemeanor from $500 to under $1,000; a Class D felony from $1,000 to under $10,000 (1 to 5 years), or for a firearm, or with three or more prior Class A convictions in five years; and a Class C felony at $10,000 or more (5 to 10 years). Separate offenses within 90 days may be combined and their values added together. KRS 514.110, 532.060, 532.090 |
| Louisiana | Receiving stolen goods is called illegal possession of stolen things: intentionally possessing, receiving or concealing anything taken in a robbery or theft when the person knew or had good reason to believe it was stolen. Penalties follow value: under $1,000, up to six months, a fine up to $1,000, or both (up to 2 years and/or $2,000 with two or more prior theft convictions); $1,000 to under $5,000, up to 5 years with or without hard labor and/or $3,000; $5,000 to under $25,000, up to 10 years and/or $10,000; $25,000 or more, up to 20 years at hard labor and/or $50,000. Values from separate acts are added together, and reporting the property in writing to the district attorney within 72 hours of learning it was stolen is an affirmative defense to possession. La. R.S. 14:69 |
| Maine | Receiving stolen property (receiving, keeping or disposing of another's property knowing it was stolen or believing it probably was, intending to deprive the owner) is a form of theft. It is a Class E crime (up to 6 months and $1,000) for property worth $500 or less; Class D (less than 1 year and $2,000) for more than $500 up to $1,000; Class C (up to 5 years and $5,000) for more than $1,000 up to $10,000 or with 2 or more prior theft-type convictions; and Class B (up to 10 years and $20,000) for more than $10,000, a firearm or explosive device, or if the person was armed with a dangerous weapon. 17-A M.R.S. § 359; 17-A M.R.S. §§ 1604(1), 1704 |
| Maryland | Possessing stolen property knowing or believing it is probably stolen, with intent to deprive the owner, is a form of theft under Maryland's consolidated theft statute, graded by value: under $100, a misdemeanor with up to 90 days and/or $500; $100 to under $1,500, a misdemeanor with up to 6 months and/or $500 (1 year on a second or later conviction); $1,500 to under $25,000, a felony with up to 5 years and/or $10,000; $25,000 to under $100,000, up to 10 years and/or $15,000; $100,000 or more, up to 20 years and/or $25,000. Restitution is required at every level. For a person in the business of buying and selling goods, knowledge can be inferred from repeated stolen purchases or buying far below reasonable value, and it is no defense that the property was supplied by police in a sting described as stolen. Md. Code, Crim. Law § 7-104(c), (g) |
| Massachusetts | Buying, receiving or helping conceal stolen or embezzled property knowing it was stolen (including property police represent as stolen in a sting) is punished by value. If the property is worth $1,200 or less, a first offense carries up to 2½ years in a house of correction or a fine up to $3,000, and a second or later offense up to 5 years in state prison and/or $5,000. If the property is worth more than $1,200, the penalty is up to 5 years in state prison or 2½ years in a house of correction and/or a fine up to $5,000. Stolen motor vehicles are covered by a separate, harsher statute (G.L. c. 266, § 28). Mass. G.L. c. 266, § 60 |
| Michigan | Buying, receiving, possessing, concealing or helping conceal stolen, embezzled or converted property, knowing or having reason to know it was stolen, is graded by value, with each fine being the stated amount or three times the property's value, whichever is greater: under $200, a misdemeanor with up to 93 days and $500; $200 to under $1,000 (or under $200 with a prior conviction), a misdemeanor with up to 1 year and $2,000; $1,000 to under $20,000 (or $200 to under $1,000 with a prior), a felony with up to 5 years and $10,000; $20,000 or more (or $1,000 to under $20,000 with two or more priors), a felony with up to 10 years and $15,000. A stolen motor vehicle of any value is a felony with up to 5 years, or 10 years with a prior conviction. MCL 750.535 |
| Minnesota | Receiving, possessing, transferring, buying or concealing stolen property or property obtained by robbery, knowing or having reason to know it was stolen, is punished on the same scale as theft: $500 or less, up to 90 days and/or $1,000; over $500 to $1,000, up to 364 days and/or $3,000; over $1,000 to $5,000, up to 5 years and/or $10,000; over $5,000, up to 10 years and/or $20,000. A person harmed by the offense can sue for three times their actual damages or $1,500, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney fees. Minn. Stat. §§ 609.53, 609.52, subd. 3 |
| Mississippi | Receiving stolen property means knowingly (or with reasonable grounds to believe) possessing, receiving, keeping or getting rid of stolen property, unless it is done to return it to the owner. Penalties follow value: over $1,000 but less than $5,000, up to 5 years and/or a fine up to $10,000; $5,000 to less than $25,000, up to 10 years and/or up to $10,000; over $25,000, up to 20 years and/or up to $10,000. For $1,000 or less, the penalty is up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine up to $1,000, but the court must suspend jail and impose probation of up to 1 year unless it finds substantial and compelling reasons; a third or later such offense involving $500 or more can bring up to 3 years in the penitentiary. Miss. Code Ann. § 97-17-70 |
| Missouri | Missouri has no separate receiving-stolen-property crime; receiving, keeping or disposing of property knowing or believing it was stolen is charged as stealing. The grade follows value: under $150 with no prior stealing offense is a class D misdemeanor (fine up to $500); otherwise a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year); $750 or more is a class D felony (up to 7 years); $25,000 or more is a class C felony (3 to 10 years). Certain items are felonies at any value (for example a motor vehicle or firearm), and values from one scheme or course of conduct may be added together. RSMo §§ 570.030.1(3), .4, .5, .7, .8, .11, 558.011, 558.002 |
| Montana | Montana charges receiving stolen property as theft: knowingly obtaining control over property known to have been stolen by someone else, with the purpose of depriving the owner (or using or hiding it so the owner is deprived). Property worth $1,500 or less: up to 6 months in county jail and/or a $1,500 fine for a first or second offense, and a $1,500 fine plus 30 days to 6 months for a third or later offense. Property worth more than $1,500: up to 10 years in state prison and/or a $50,000 fine. Amounts taken in a common scheme may be added together. MCA 45-6-301(3), (7), (8) |
| Nebraska | Receiving, keeping or disposing of stolen property knowing or believing it was stolen (unless meant to return it to the owner) is theft by receiving stolen property, graded by value. $500 or less is a Class II misdemeanor (up to 6 months and/or $1,000); more than $500 but less than $1,500 is a Class I misdemeanor (up to 1 year and/or $1,000); $1,500 to under $5,000 is a Class IV felony; $5,000 or more is a Class IIA felony (up to 20 years). Repeat convictions within 10 years can raise the lower tiers to a Class IV felony, and amounts from one scheme may be added together. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-517, 28-518, 28-105, 28-106 |
| Nevada | Buying, receiving, possessing or withholding stolen property, knowing it was stolen or when a reasonable person would have known, is graded by value: under $1,200 is a misdemeanor; $1,200 to under $5,000 a category D felony (1 to 4 years); $5,000 to under $25,000 a category C felony (1 to 5 years); $25,000 to under $100,000, or any firearm, a category B felony with 1 to 10 years and up to $10,000; and $100,000 or more a category B felony with 1 to 20 years and up to $15,000. Restitution is mandatory, and the person can be prosecuted whether or not the thief was. NRS 205.275; NRS 193.130, 193.140, 193.150 |
| New Hampshire | Receiving, keeping or disposing of someone else's property knowing or believing it was probably stolen is theft by receiving stolen property. It is graded like other theft: over $1,500 is a class A felony (up to 15 years), more than $1,000 up to $1,500 a class B felony (up to 7 years), and $1,000 or less a misdemeanor; receiving goods in quantities not normally bought for personal use is a class B felony at any value. A dealer's knowledge is presumed in certain cases, such as possessing property stolen from 2 or more people on separate occasions. RSA 637:7, 637:11, 651:2 |
| New Jersey | Receiving stolen property (knowingly receiving or bringing into New Jersey another's property knowing or believing it is probably stolen) is graded as theft by value: under $200 is a disorderly persons offense; $200-$500 is a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months); more than $500 but under $75,000 is third degree (3-5 years); $75,000 or more is second degree (5-10 years); amounts from one scheme may be added together. Receiving a stolen motor vehicle is a separate third-degree crime (second degree if the vehicle is worth $75,000 or more). Trafficking in stolen property ('fencing') is graded by value, and advertising or helping sell property known to be stolen (including online) is a disorderly persons offense. N.J.S. 2C:20-7, 2C:20-2(b), 2C:20-10.2, 2C:20-7.1, 2C:20-7.3; N.J.S. 2C:43-6 |
| New Mexico | Receiving stolen property means intentionally receiving, keeping or disposing of property knowing or believing it was stolen (unless meant to return it to the owner); 'stolen' includes property taken by theft, fraud, embezzlement or robbery. Grades by value: $250 or less is a petty misdemeanor; over $250 to $500 a misdemeanor; over $500 to $2,500 a fourth degree felony (18 months); over $2,500 to $20,000 a third degree felony (3 years); and over $20,000 a second degree felony (9 years). A stolen firearm worth under $2,500 is a fourth degree felony. A dealer is presumed to know property was stolen if found with goods stolen from 2 or more people on separate occasions, 5 or more stolen items within a year, or goods bought far below their value. NMSA 1978, 30-16-11; NMSA 1978, 31-18-15, 31-19-1 |
| New York | Criminal possession of stolen property (knowingly possessing stolen property intending to benefit oneself or someone other than the owner, or to keep it from the owner) is graded by value: fifth degree (any value) is a class A misdemeanor; fourth degree (over $1,000, or a credit/debit/public benefit card, a firearm, a motor vehicle worth over $100, or possession by a dealer in property) is a class E felony; third degree (over $3,000) is a class D felony; second degree (over $50,000) is a class C felony; first degree (over $1 million) is a class B felony. Using a website, app or location to offer retail goods for sale knowing or having reason to know they were stolen ('fostering the sale of stolen goods') is a class A misdemeanor. N.Y. Penal Law 165.40, 165.45, 165.50, 165.52, 165.54, 165.66 |
| North Carolina | Receiving or possessing stolen goods, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe they were stolen, is a Class H felony if the goods are worth more than $1,000 and a Class 1 misdemeanor if worth $1,000 or less, unless a felony-regardless-of-value circumstance applies (for example, goods taken in a burglary or from the person, a firearm, or explosives). Possessing property knowing it was feloniously stolen is punished as a Class H felony. Stolen mail is sentenced one class higher. N.C. Gen. Stat. 14-72(a), (c), (c1); 14-71.1 |
| North Dakota | Knowingly receiving, keeping or disposing of stolen property with intent to deprive the owner is theft and is graded by value: $500 or less can be a class B misdemeanor for a first offense, other amounts up to $1,000 are a class A misdemeanor, over $1,000 is a class C felony, over $10,000 a class B felony, and over $50,000 a class A felony; thefts in one scheme may be added together. A dealer in stolen property who receives or disposes of it in the course of business commits a class C felony regardless of value. Trafficking in stolen property is a class C felony, and organizing, financing or managing the theft and trafficking of stolen property is a class B felony. N.D.C.C. 12.1-23-02(3), 12.1-23-05, 12.1-23-08.3; 12.1-32-01 |
| Ohio | Receiving stolen property (receiving, keeping or disposing of property knowing or having reason to believe it was obtained through a theft offense) is a first-degree misdemeanor (up to 180 days) if worth under $1,000; a fifth-degree felony at $1,000 to under $7,500 or for certain listed property; a fourth-degree felony at $7,500 to under $150,000, or if the property is a motor vehicle, a dangerous drug, a firearm or dangerous ordnance; and a third-degree felony at $150,000 or more. R.C. 2913.51(D) |
| Oklahoma | Buying, receiving, concealing or withholding property known (or with reasonable cause to believe) to be stolen, embezzled, or obtained by false pretense or robbery is graded by value: less than $1,000, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in county jail; $1,000 to under $2,500, a Class D3 felony (up to 2 years); $2,500 to under $15,000, a Class D1 felony (up to 5 years); $15,000 or more, a Class C2 felony (up to 7 years); each felony tier also allows a fine of up to $500. A person who buys or receives property without reasonable inquiry, in circumstances that should prompt one, is presumed to have known it was stolen (rebuttable). 21 O.S. § 1713 (version 2); 21 O.S. §§ 20M, 20N, 20P |
| Oregon | Receiving, keeping, hiding or getting rid of property knowing or having good reason to know it was stolen is 'theft by receiving,' a form of theft graded by value like other theft: under $100 is third-degree theft (Class C misdemeanor), $100 to under $1,000 is second-degree theft (Class A misdemeanor), $1,000 or more is first-degree theft (Class C felony), and $10,000 or more is aggravated theft in the first degree (Class B felony). Theft by receiving committed by buying, selling, borrowing or lending on the security of the property is first-degree theft regardless of value. A scrap metal business that makes the required report has a defense. ORS 164.095, 164.015, 164.043, 164.045, 164.055, 164.057 |
| Pennsylvania | Receiving, keeping or getting rid of someone else's property knowing it was stolen, or believing it was probably stolen (unless intending to return it to the owner), is theft graded by value: under $50 is a third-degree misdemeanor and $50 to under $200 a second-degree misdemeanor (if not taken from a person, by threat or in breach of a fiduciary duty); other amounts up to $2,000 are a first-degree misdemeanor; over $2,000 a third-degree felony; $100,000 or more a second-degree felony; and $500,000 or more a first-degree felony. It is a third-degree felony regardless of value if the receiver is in the business of buying or selling stolen property, a second-degree felony if the property is a firearm, and a first-degree felony if a firearm is received by someone in that business. 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 3925, 3903 |
| Rhode Island | Fraudulently receiving stolen money or property knowing it was stolen is treated as larceny, and possessing stolen property is evidence of guilty knowledge unless the person shows it was acquired in the ordinary course of trade for fair value. Penalties follow the larceny value tiers: $1,500 or less, up to 1 year and/or $500 (misdemeanor); over $1,500 to under $5,000, up to 3 years and/or $1,500; over $5,000 to under $10,000, up to 6 years and/or $3,000; over $10,000 or a firearm, up to 10 years and/or $5,000. Knowingly receiving the property from someone under 18 carries up to 10 years regardless of value, and enhanced penalties apply when the victim is 65 or older. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-41-2, 11-41-5 |
| South Carolina | Buying, receiving or possessing property one knows or has reason to believe is stolen is graded by value: $2,000 or less is a misdemeanor tried in magistrate or municipal court (up to $1,000 fine and/or 30 days); more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 is a misdemeanor with a fine of at least $1,000 or up to 3 years; $10,000 or more is a felony with a fine of at least $2,000 or up to 10 years. Items received in one transaction count as one offense, and offenses within a 90-day period may be aggregated to set the grade. No one need be convicted of the original theft. S.C. Code § 16-13-180 |
| South Dakota | Receiving, keeping or disposing of someone else's property knowing it was stolen, or believing it was probably stolen (unless intending to return it to the owner), is theft, graded by value: $400 or less is petty theft in the second degree (Class 2 misdemeanor); over $400 to $1,000 petty theft in the first degree (Class 1 misdemeanor); over $1,000 to $2,500 grand theft, a Class 6 felony (up to 2 years); over $2,500 to $5,000 a Class 5 felony; over $5,000 to $100,000 a Class 4 felony; over $100,000 to $500,000 a Class 3 felony; and over $500,000 aggravated grand theft, a Class 2 felony (up to 25 years). Related thefts may be aggregated to set the degree. SDCL 22-30A-7, 22-30A-17, 22-30A-17.1, 22-30A-17.2, 22-30A-17.3, 22-30A-18 |
| Tennessee | Tennessee folds receiving or concealing stolen property into its single theft offense: the theft statute says it embraces the offenses formerly known as embezzlement, false pretense, fraudulent conversion, larceny, and receiving or concealing stolen property. Knowingly obtaining or exercising control over property without the owner's effective consent, intending to deprive the owner, is theft, graded by value: $1,000 or less is a Class A misdemeanor; more than $1,000 to under $2,500 a Class E felony; $2,500 to under $10,000 a Class D felony; $10,000 to under $60,000 a Class C felony; $60,000 to under $250,000 a Class B felony; $250,000 or more a Class A felony. Separately, knowingly buying or possessing retail goods for resale while believing them stolen is part of the organized retail crime law. Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-14-101, 39-14-103, 39-14-105(a), 39-14-113(c) |
| Texas | Texas folds receiving or concealing stolen property into its single theft offense: appropriating property is unlawful if the property is stolen and the person takes it knowing it was stolen by another. It is graded by value like other theft: under $100 a Class C misdemeanor; $100 to under $750 Class B; $750 to under $2,500 Class A; $2,500 to under $30,000 a state jail felony; $30,000 to under $150,000 third degree; $150,000 to under $300,000 second degree; $300,000 or more first degree. Pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers and salvage dealers are presumed to know property was stolen if they fail to keep required seller records. Tex. Penal Code §§ 31.02, 31.03(b)(2), (c), (e); §§ 12.21-12.35 |
| Utah | Receiving, keeping, or getting rid of someone else's property knowing or believing it is probably stolen, or helping hide or sell it, intending to deprive the owner, is theft by receiving stolen property. It is a class B misdemeanor under $500; class A misdemeanor at $500 to under $1,500; third degree felony at $1,500 to under $5,000 (or for a catalytic converter, or with certain prior theft convictions); and second degree felony at $5,000 or more or if the property is a firearm or an operable motor vehicle. Knowledge is presumed if the person has other stolen property or received stolen property within the past year; pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers are presumed to know only if they do not follow their record-keeping duties. Utah Code § 76-6-408; §§ 76-3-203, 76-3-204 |
| Vermont | Buying, receiving, selling, possessing (unless intending to return it to the owner), or helping hide property knowing it is stolen is punished the same as stealing it; for a dealer in property, knowing or believing it is stolen is enough. Because the penalty follows larceny, it carries up to 10 years and a $5,000 fine if the property is worth more than $900, and up to one year and $1,000 if it is worth $900 or less. The person can be prosecuted where the theft could have been prosecuted, even if the property was received elsewhere. 13 V.S.A. §§ 2561, 2501, 2502 |
| Virginia | Buying or receiving stolen goods from another person, or helping hide them, knowing they were stolen, is treated as larceny of those goods, so it is graded by value: grand larceny at $1,000 or more (1 to 20 years, or up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine) and petit larceny, a Class 1 misdemeanor, under $1,000. The receiver can be prosecuted even if the thief is not convicted, and buying goods used in a police sting while believing them stolen is also larceny. Va. Code §§ 18.2-108, 18.2-95, 18.2-96 |
| Washington | Washington calls this possessing stolen property: knowingly receiving, keeping, possessing, hiding or disposing of property known to be stolen and withholding it from the owner. It is first degree, a class B felony (up to 10 years), over $5,000 or for critical firefighter or EMS equipment; second degree, a class C felony (up to 5 years), over $750 up to $5,000, or for a stolen public record or access device; and third degree, a gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days), at $750 or less. Stolen firearms and stolen motor vehicles are separate class B felonies. It is no defense that the thief was never caught or convicted. RCW 9A.56.140, 9A.56.150, 9A.56.160, 9A.56.170, 9A.56.068; RCW 9A.20.021 |
| West Virginia | Buying, receiving, hiding, transferring or possessing goods a person knows or has reason to believe were stolen makes that person guilty of larceny of them, so the grade follows the value: grand larceny (felony, 1 to 10 years or up to 1 year in jail, and a fine up to $2,500) at $1,000 or more, and petit larceny (misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail, a fine up to $2,500, or both) below $1,000. The person may be prosecuted even if the thief has not been convicted. Receiving or transferring a vehicle known or believed to be stolen is a separate felony punishable by 1 to 5 years, a $500 to $5,000 fine, or both. W. Va. Code §§ 61-3-18, 61-3-13, 17A-8-5, 17A-11-2 |
| Wisconsin | Knowingly or intentionally receiving or concealing stolen property is graded by value: up to $2,500 is a Class A misdemeanor (up to 9 months, a fine up to $10,000, or both); over $2,500 up to $5,000 is a Class I felony (up to 3 years and 6 months); over $5,000 up to $10,000, or any firearm, is a Class H felony (up to 6 years); and over $10,000 is a Class G felony (up to 10 years, a fine up to $25,000, or both). Wis. Stat. §§ 943.34(1), 939.50(3), 939.51(3) |
| Wyoming | Receiving stolen property is part of Wyoming's theft law: a person commits theft if he receives, lends money on (pawns), or disposes of another's property that he knew or reasonably should have known was stolen, intending to deprive the owner of it. Grades follow value: a felony (up to 10 years, a fine up to $10,000, or both) at $1,000 or more, or if the property is a firearm, horse, mule, sheep, cattle, buffalo or swine regardless of value; a misdemeanor (up to 1 year, a fine up to $1,500, or both) below $1,000. Amounts from a common scheme or the same transaction may be added together. W.S. 6-3-402(a), (c), (h) |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.