A person commits the criminal offense of receiving stolen property if the person buys or receives any property knowing that it has been stolen. Laws regarding receiving stolen property vary from state to state and some states also make it a crime to receive property obtained by extortion, or to conceal, sell, withhold, or aid in concealing, selling, or withholding any property from the owner, knowing the property was stolen or obtained by extortion, for example.

The criminal offense of receiving stolen property may be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony in many states (a wobbler offense)—usually depending on the value of the stolen property.

Laws regarding receiving stolen property are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Alaska, the crime of receiving stolen property is addressed under Alaska Statutes Section 11.46.190. A person commits this offense if they buy, receive, retain, conceal, or dispose of stolen property with knowledge that it was stolen, or with reckless disregard that it might have been stolen. The severity of the charge in Alaska, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, typically depends on the value of the property. If the value of the property is $750 or more, the offense is classified as a felony, while if the value is less than $750, it is treated as a misdemeanor. Additionally, Alaska law also considers the aggregate value of multiple items received within six months as part of the determination of the severity of the offense. The state's statutes provide specific details on the penalties and classifications for the crime of receiving stolen property.