Receiving Stolen Property
It is a crime to purchase or accept property that you know or should have know was obtained through theft. Originally receiving stolen property was criminalized to deter people from rewarding thieves for their misconduct. The criminal charge of receiving stolen property can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the property. An experienced criminal defense attorney is crucial so that the actual value of the property can be closely monitored. The value of a brand new cellphone and the value of a used cellphone may be very different, and that could make the difference between a conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor. The receiving stolen property prosecutor must be able to prove that the property was stolen and that you knew or should have known that the property was stolen.
What if you really did not know the property was stolen? Did you buy a mower that was worth $1,500 for $800? If a jury believes that you received too good of a deal for you not to know that the mower was stolen, then you could be convicted. As the economy has gotten worse our Missouri criminal defense receiving stolen property attorneys have noticed an increase in stealing and receiving stolen property cases. An experienced criminal defense receiving stolen property attorney can look into the circumstances surrounding your purchase as part of a cohesive defense for you.
Call 816-246-8881 for a free consultation with our experienced criminal defense attorney if you are charged with receiving stolen property.