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 Maryland, the crime of receiving stolen property is codified under Maryland Criminal Law Code Ann. § 7-104. A person is guilty of this offense if they knowingly possess, receive, or conceal stolen personal property knowing it was stolen, or believe it was probably stolen. The severity of the charge, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, typically depends on the value of the stolen property. For property valued at less than $1,500, the offense is treated as a misdemeanor, while property valued at $1,500 or more elevates the charge to a felony. Additionally, Maryland law also addresses the issue of possessing stolen property with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. Penalties for receiving stolen property can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and the specific consequences depend on the value of the property and the offender's criminal history.