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 Iowa, the criminal offense of receiving stolen property is addressed under Iowa Code Section 714.5. A person commits this offense if they buy, receive, possess, sell, or aid in selling property they know or have reason to believe is stolen. The severity of the charge in Iowa typically depends on the value of the property involved. If the value of the stolen property does not exceed $200, it is considered a simple misdemeanor. If the value is between $200 and $500, it is a serious misdemeanor. For property valued between $500 and $10,000, the offense is classified as an aggravated misdemeanor or a class 'D' felony, depending on specific circumstances. When the value exceeds $10,000, the crime is a class 'C' felony. Additionally, Iowa law also considers it a crime to tamper with evidence, which can include actions taken to conceal or withhold stolen property. The specific classification of the offense as a misdemeanor or felony (a 'wobbler' offense) will influence the potential penalties, including fines and imprisonment.