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 Utah, the criminal offense of receiving stolen property is addressed under Utah Code § 76-6-408. A person is guilty of this offense if they intentionally receive, transfer, or possess stolen property, knowing or believing it to be stolen. The severity of the charge in Utah typically depends on the value of the property received. If the value of the stolen property is less than $500, it is considered a class B misdemeanor. The offense becomes a class A misdemeanor if the value is $500 or more but less than $1,500. It is charged as a third-degree felony if the value is $1,500 or more but less than $5,000, and a second-degree felony if the value is $5,000 or more. Additionally, Utah law also criminalizes the act of concealing stolen property with the knowledge that it is stolen, which can similarly be charged based on the value of the property.