R.C. 2913.51 makes it a crime to receive, retain, or dispose of property of another knowing or having reasonable cause to believe it was obtained through a theft offense. The degree tracks value like theft: under $1,000 is a first-degree misdemeanor, climbing through the felony levels; receiving a stolen firearm or motor vehicle is a felony regardless of value.
Buyers of secondhand goods, borrowers, and people holding property for someone else are routinely charged when something turns out to be stolen. Whether you actually knew is the contested core of nearly every one of these cases.
How Ohio Classifies & Punishes Receiving Stolen Property
| Circumstance | Classification | Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Value less than $1,000 | Misdemeanor 1 | Up to 180 days; up to $1,000 |
| $1,000 to less than $7,500 | Felony 5 | 6–12 months prison |
| Stolen motor vehicle (any value) | Felony 4 | 6–18 months prison |
| Stolen firearm / dangerous ordnance | Felony 3 | 9–36 months prison |
| Higher-value tiers | Felony 4 → 2 | Escalates with value |
How We Defend Receiving Stolen Property Charges
An arrest is an accusation, not a verdict. Our defense of a receiving stolen property charge begins with the questions the State would rather not answer:
- Whether you actually knew or had reasonable cause to know the property was stolen.
- Whether the State can actually prove the required mental state (knowingly, purposely, recklessly) beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Whether the claimed value is accurate.
- Whether you had a legitimate explanation for possessing the item.
- Whether any search of your person, car, phone, or home complied with the Fourth Amendment — illegally obtained evidence can be suppressed.
We bring that same disciplined approach — testing every procedure, every protocol, and every piece of the State’s evidence — to receiving stolen property cases across our nine-county Southern Ohio footprint. Where the evidence supports it, we negotiate for reduction or dismissal; where it does not, we are prepared to try the case.
Receiving Stolen Property — Common Questions
What if I didn't know the item was stolen?
Then you are not guilty. The State must prove you knew, or had reasonable cause to believe, the property was stolen. A legitimate purchase, gift, or loan — and the absence of any red flags — directly defeats that element.
Is receiving stolen property a felony?
It depends on value and item type. Under $1,000 it's a first-degree misdemeanor; $1,000+ is a felony, and stolen firearms or vehicles are felonies regardless of value.
Can buying something cheap be a crime?
Only if the State can prove you knew or should have known it was stolen. An unusually low price can be evidence, but it is not conclusive, and we test whether the circumstances truly put you on notice.
Talk to a Theft & Property Crimes Defense Attorney Today
If you or someone you love is facing a receiving stolen property charge in Lawrence, Scioto, Jackson, Gallia, Athens, Adams, Meigs, Pike, or Ross County, call (740) 532-8744 for a free, confidential consultation. We have offices in Ironton and Chesapeake and respond the same business day in most cases.