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 Delaware, the offense of receiving stolen property is codified under Title 11, Section 851 of the Delaware Code. A person is guilty of this offense if they intentionally receive, retain, or dispose of stolen property knowing that it was obtained through theft, or they believe that it is probably stolen. The seriousness of the charge, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, typically depends on the value of the property received. If the value is less than $1,500, it is considered a misdemeanor. If the value is $1,500 or more, the offense is classified as a felony. Delaware law also considers it a crime to receive property that was obtained by extortion. The state statutes provide the framework for penalties and other legal consequences associated with the crime of receiving stolen property.