Buying, acquiring, possessing or concealing stolen property is a crime in Los Angeles and in the state of California. With the disastrous economy expected to drive up theft rates in Los Angeles and across the country (see our Feb. 23 post), you need to be aware of California laws about receiving stolen property, warns expert Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez. If you buy or accept property that has been stolen through theft, fraud, deceit, embezzlement or taken by any other unlawful means, you are committing a crime.
People can unwittingly purchase stolen goods thinking they're getting an incredible bargain. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you purchase a luxury watch from a street vendor or pick up a new, brand-name TV at a flea market, the chances are high that the merchandise is either fraudulent or stolen. You could wind up charged with purchasing stolen goods.
Sometimes, people wind up in trouble with California's stolen goods law by allowing a friend or relative to store unlawfully acquired items in their home or garage. Don't allow yourself to be duped. Make certain you know what is being stored on your property and where it came from. It can be hard to prove your innocence if you're found with a garage full of expensive DVD players and no bill of sale.
LA criminal defense attorney Rodriguez says there are two important legal points that affect charges involving receipt of stolen property and provide an avenue for effective defense. To be convicted, the defendant must:
- know that the goods were stolen at the time he purchased or received them, or
- have purchased or accepted the goods with the intention of aiding the thief.
Having an astute criminal defense attorney like Stephen Rodriguez on your side can make all the difference in how your case is charged if you are arrested for possession of stolen property. An experienced criminal defense attorney like Rodriguez who has lengthy experience not only representing Los Angeles residents charged with receiving stolen property but also in dealing with the Los Angeles prosecutor's office on such matters, knows all the ins and outs of presenting a case to achieve the best possible outcome for the defendant.
