subject: Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property in Michigan [print this page] Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property in Michigan
The anonymity offered through online auctions, internet classified ads and social networking websites has allowed criminals to sell stolen goods to unsuspecting buyers with impunity. Coupled with the traditional methods thieves use to exchange stolen property for cash, it is not surprising that law enforcement officials take all theft related crimes quite seriously.
If you have been arrested or charged with receiving and concealing stolen property crimes, we recommend that you retain experienced counsel to aid in the defense of this charge.
Liability Concerning a Stolen Property Crime
There a variety of complex issues associated with stolen property possession. Those who find themselves involved in a theft related arrest or investigation experience justifiable fear and apprehension. The police are entitled to confiscate the appropriated goods even if you paid for them, and if you are reading this you may already know criminal charges against the possessor may soon follow. A conviction for knowingly receiving or concealing stolen property can have long term consequences that affect employment, personal relationships and educational opportunities.
In Michigan, the threshold for criminal charges in a theft and concealment case centers primarily on whether you the individual receiving the property had prior knowledge that it was acquired through fraud, larceny, burglary, extortion or theft. Prosecutors will try and establish that the items in the suspect's possession were in fact stolen, and that they had knowledge of the theft at the time of receipt.
Since the police often have a difficult time determining the theft chain, if charged the prosecutors tend to be difficult to work with as the case tend to be very strong. If a person is charged with receiving and concealing stolen property, the accused must definitively demonstrate that they had no knowledge that the items were stolen. Thus, an inability to present a plausible explanation could result in serious legal consequences. Remember, judges have a tremendous amount of discretion when imposing your punishment. Without us, or another competent attorney, you may say or do the wrong thing, increasing your punishment. For this reason, looking for an attorney who practices in the county where you were violated is particularly helpful.
Property Crime Repercussions
In Michigan, there are four levels of receiving and concealing stolen property crimes. The most common and lightest is a misdemeanor and concerns instances under $200 that carry a prison term up to 93 days and/or a $500 fine. Whereas the most severe Level four, are felonies and concerns thefts of $20,000 or more and are punishable by a prison term up to ten years and/or a $15,000 fine.
In order to obtain a conviction against you, prosecutors must prove that the accused was involved in receiving, buying, possessing or concealing the stolen property, and that you aiding in the concealment or having knowledge that the property was stolen, converted or embezzled.
One of the greatest advantages of hiring our firm is the connections we bring to the process. Typically we know the prosecutor and the judge, allowing us to anticipate the judge's reactions, understand how the prosecutor will want to proceed, and to negotiate the best deal for our clients in efforts of removing as much uncertainty from the process as possible. For this reason, looking for an attorney who practices in the county where you were violated is particularly helpful. That said we regularly practice in the counties of Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, and Lapeer, Livingston, Washtenaw, Genesee, and St. Clair.
