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 Michigan, the offense of receiving stolen property is covered under Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.535). A person is guilty of this offense if they buy, receive, possess, conceal, or aid in the concealment of stolen, embezzled, or converted property, knowing or having reason to believe the property is stolen. The severity of the charge, whether misdemeanor or felony, typically depends on the value of the stolen property. For property valued at less than $200, it is a misdemeanor with a potential penalty of up to 93 days in jail and/or a fine up to $500 or three times the value of the property. As the value of the property increases, so do the potential penalties, with higher value thresholds leading to felony charges. For example, if the value of the property is $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, the offense is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000 or three times the value of the property, whichever is greater. Michigan law also addresses the receipt of property obtained by extortion, aligning with the broader definition of receiving stolen property.