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 New Jersey, the offense of receiving stolen property is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7. A person is guilty of this offense if they knowingly receive or bring into the state stolen property, with the intent to benefit themselves or someone else other than the owner. The degree of the charge, whether it is a misdemeanor (referred to as a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey) or a felony (indictable offense), depends on the value of the property. Property valued at less than $200 is typically a disorderly persons offense, while property valued at $200 or more can be charged as a fourth, third, or second-degree crime, with the severity increasing with the value of the property. New Jersey law also addresses the possession of property believed to be obtained by extortion. The state's statutes provide clear guidelines on the penalties and legal processes associated with the crime of receiving stolen property.