Receiving Stolen Property – Overview – California Penal Code 496

Orange County Receiving Stolen Property Attorney

It is a crime to buy or receive property that is stolen or that has been obtained in any manner that constitutes theft or extortion.  You must actually know that the property was stolen.

Receiving stolen property is a wobbler.  This means that it can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor.  A felony conviction can be punishable by up to three years in state prison, whereas a misdemeanor conviction can be punishable by up to one year in county jail.

The person who stole the property can be convicted of a theft crime or the crime of receiving stolen property, but they cannot be convicted of both crimes from the same incident.

If convicted of this theft crime, the victim may be entitled to restitution.  A victim may be entitled to three times the amount of damages (dollar amount lost), cost of lawsuit, and attorneys’ fees.

If you are charged with receiving stolen property, consult with an experienced Orange County Theft Crime Lawyer.  At the Law Offices of Nam Q. Doan | OC Legal Defense, I will defend your rights in court and make sure you get the best possible outcome.  Call today at (714) 248-DOAN (3626).  Visit www.OCLegalDefense.com for more information.