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 West Virginia, the crime of receiving stolen property is codified under West Virginia Code §61-3-18. A person is guilty of this offense if they receive, acquire, or otherwise come into possession of stolen property, knowing or having reason to believe that it is stolen. The determination of whether the offense is a misdemeanor or a felony in West Virginia typically depends on the value of the property received. If the value of the property is less than $1,000, the offense is generally treated as a misdemeanor. Conversely, if the value of the property is $1,000 or more, the offense can be charged as a felony. Additionally, the statute also covers the possession of property obtained by extortion. Penalties for receiving stolen property can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and the severity of the penalties often correlates with the value of the stolen property and the circumstances of the offense.