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 Louisiana, the crime of receiving stolen property is codified under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 14:69. According to this statute, a person commits the offense if they intentionally possess, procure, receive, or conceal anything of value which they know or have good reason to believe has been stolen or obtained by robbery, burglary, or theft. The severity of the charge in Louisiana, whether misdemeanor or felony, typically depends on the value of the property received. For property valued under a certain threshold, the offense may be charged as a misdemeanor, while property valued above that threshold can lead to felony charges. Additionally, Louisiana law may also consider the circumstances of the offense and the criminal history of the accused when determining the classification and severity of the charge. It is important for individuals in Louisiana to be aware of these laws and understand that receiving stolen property is a serious offense that can lead to significant legal consequences.