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 Kansas, the crime of receiving stolen property is addressed under Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) 21-5801. A person is guilty of this offense if they intentionally obtain or exert unauthorized control over property knowing it has been stolen, or believing it has been stolen, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the possession of the property. The severity of the charge in Kansas typically depends on the value of the property received. If the value of the property 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. The statute also covers variations of the crime, such as possessing stolen property, and it can extend to property obtained by extortion. Penalties for receiving stolen property in Kansas can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and the specific consequences will depend on the classification of the offense as a misdemeanor or felony.