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 Rhode Island, the criminal offense of receiving stolen goods is codified under Rhode Island General Laws § 11-41-2. A person is guilty of this offense if they buy, receive, or aid in the concealment of stolen goods, knowing or having reason to believe that the goods are stolen. The severity of the charge in Rhode Island, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, typically depends on the value of the stolen property. If the value of the goods is $1,500 or less, the offense is treated as a misdemeanor. If the value exceeds $1,500, the offense is considered a felony. Additionally, Rhode Island law also addresses the possession of stolen motor vehicles, which is a separate offense under § 31-7-10, and can be charged regardless of the vehicle's value. Penalties for receiving stolen property can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and are determined based on the specifics of the offense and the value of the property involved.