It is illegal to accept or agree to hide a property that a person stole or acquired through theft. If you receive any stolen property, the prosecution can convict you. This is true, especially when they have proved that you have knowledge that the property was indeed a stolen asset and has the intention to deprive another person of their property.
Obtained Through Theft
The Law Offices of Steven R. Adams and other criminal defense attorneys in Cincinnati note that a conviction is possible if there is proof that the property ended up in the hands of someone who did not receive permission from the original owner. If not stolen, this means that the accused did not commit any crime. The accused, furthermore, must receive the property. The defendant, however, may still be under conviction even if they do not exercise direct control over the goods.
John, for instance, stole a million-dollar worth of jewelry from his wealthy neighbor. He then calls his friend Joe to ask if he can hide the jewelry. Joe, being a good friend, agrees. Joe may face consequences and be under conviction of the crime because he let John hide the jewelry. This means that he has exercised indirect control over it.
Conviction from Prosecution
The defendant, on the other hand, does not need to have first-hand knowledge that what they are keeping is stolen property. The thing is, the prosecution may find a way to show that the defendant knew that the items were indeed from illegal means.
John, for instance, gives his friend Joe a few pieces of precious jewelry, which according to him were a gift from his friends. If the prosecution can demonstrate that John was a thief and that Joe knew that his friend was a reputed thief, there is no proof to sustain a conviction.
Timing is an important factor between receiving and possessing. If the defendant knew that the goods are stolen properties at the time of acquisition, the person is guilty. If they do not know that the goods they are keeping were stolen property, they may not face conviction.
Those who face charges of this crime need to talk to a criminal defense attorney. This is to establish defense, especially if the accused has no knowledge of receiving or keeping the stolen goods or property.