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 Massachusetts, the crime of receiving stolen property is governed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 266, Section 60. A person is guilty of this offense if they buy, receive, or aid in the concealment of stolen property, knowing it to be stolen or having reasonable grounds to believe it is stolen. The severity of the charge, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, typically depends on the value of the property. If the value of the stolen property is $1,200 or less, the offense is treated as a misdemeanor. If the value exceeds $1,200, the offense is considered a felony. Penalties for receiving stolen property can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and the specific consequences depend on the value of the property and the circumstances of the case. Additionally, Massachusetts law also addresses the receipt of property obtained by extortion, aligning with the broader definitions of the crime as seen in some other states.