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 Dakota, the crime of receiving stolen property is addressed under North Dakota Century Code (NDCC) 12.1-23-07. A person is guilty of theft if they receive, retain, or dispose of stolen property knowing, or having reasonable grounds to know, that it was stolen, unless the property is received, retained, or disposed with an intent to restore it to the owner. The severity of the charge in North Dakota typically depends on the value of the property received. If the value of the property is less than $1,000, it is considered a misdemeanor. If the value is $1,000 or more, the offense is a felony. The state also recognizes that receiving property obtained by extortion falls under this statute. Penalties can include fines, restitution, and imprisonment, with the severity of the penalty corresponding to the value of the property and the nature of the offense.