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 Hawaii, the offense of receiving stolen property is addressed under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 708-830. Under this statute, a person commits the offense if they intentionally receive, retain, or dispose of stolen property knowing that it was obtained through theft. The severity of the charge in Hawaii depends on the value of the property involved. If the value of the stolen property exceeds $750, the offense is classified as a Class C felony. If the value is less than $750, it is considered a misdemeanor. Hawaii law also covers situations where a person receives property that was obtained by extortion. The state's approach to handling these offenses is consistent with the general principle that receiving stolen property is a crime, with the level of the charge varying based on the property's value and the circumstances of the offense.