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 North Carolina, the crime of receiving stolen property is covered under North Carolina General Statutes § 14-71.1. A person commits this offense if they knowingly receive, possess, or conceal stolen property while being aware of its stolen nature. The severity of the charge in North Carolina, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, typically depends on the value of the property received. If the value of the property is $1,000 or less, the offense is generally classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, if the value exceeds $1,000, the offense can be charged as a felony. Additionally, North Carolina law also addresses the possession of goods obtained by extortion, which is treated similarly to possession of stolen property. The specific circumstances of the case, such as prior convictions and the nature of the offense, can also influence the level of charges and penalties.