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 Montana, the offense of receiving stolen property is addressed under Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 45-6-301. A person commits the offense if they purposely or knowingly receive, retain, or dispose of stolen property, and they are aware or believe that it has been stolen. The seriousness of the charge, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, typically depends on the value of the property. If the value of the property is less than $1,500, the offense is generally charged as a misdemeanor. If the value exceeds $1,500, it is charged as a felony. Additionally, Montana law may also penalize individuals who receive property obtained by extortion or who assist in concealing or selling such property. The specific penalties and classifications can be found in the relevant sections of the MCA, and an attorney can provide detailed guidance on how these laws may apply to a particular case.