Receiving Stolen Property Attorneys Passaic County, NJ
Protecting Clients Across Wayne, Clifton, Paterson, West Milford, Woodland Park, Little Falls and Passaic County
Receiving stolen property carries the same legal consequences as theft in New Jersey. Depending on the nature of the stolen goods and the value, receiving stolen property charges can range from a disorderly persons misdemeanor all the way to a second-degree felony.
Due to the seriousness of receiving stolen property charges, it is important to seek the legal services of criminal defense attorneys or face the possibility of heavy fines and maximum prison sentences of 10 years.
At The Montanari Law Group, our team of criminal defense attorneys serves clients charged with all manner of theft and fraud crimes in New Jersey towns including Paterson, Woodland Park, Wayne, Clifton, Little Falls, West Milford, and the greater Passaic County area. Lean on our experience and knowledge of New Jersey criminal law to protect your legal rights when facing charges of receiving stolen property. We will work with your individual case to determine a strong defensive strategy and seek to have your charges reduced or outright dismissed.
Call our office today to speak with a member of our legal team in a free and confidential consultation regarding your receiving stolen property case and how we may be able to best serve you.
Receiving Stolen Goods N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7: Wayne, NJ Theft Defense Lawyers
According to New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 2C:20-7 – Receiving stolen property, charges of theft via receiving stolen property can be the result of:
- Knowingly receiving stolen property. “Receiving” is defined as gaining possession, legal title, and/or taking ownership of property.
- Knowingly bringing stolen property into the state of New Jersey.
However, it will not be considered an illegal action to return the stolen property back to the state of New Jersey in order to bring that property back to its rightful owner. To be considered an unlawful action of receiving stolen property, there must be a presumption of knowledge that the offender understood he or she was receiving stolen goods. An offender is legally determined to have presumption of knowledge if he or she:
- Has been found to possess two (2) or more stolen items from two (2) or more separate occasions
- Has been found to possess other stolen items within the past year
- Is in the business of buying or selling items of the same type which was received without reasonably inquiring as to how the other individual acquired the item or items. An example might be a jeweler purchasing stolen diamonds without attempting to understand where the seller obtained the diamonds
- Possesses 2 or more defaced credit cards, debit cards, PIN numbers or other “access devices“
- Possesses items from a cargo carrier without the legal documentation or rights to possession
Paterson, NJ Receiving Stolen Property Lawyers Define Penalties
Second degree receiving stolen property charges may result from unlawfully receiving over $75,000 in stolen goods, taking property by means of extortion, or receiving stolen property that is a controlled dangerous substance in excess of one (1) kilogram. Convictions may lead to:
- Prison sentence between five (5) and ten (10) years
- Fines up to $150,000
- Restitution to victims
Third-degree receiving stolen property charges can result from illegally receiving between $500 and $75,000 in stolen goods or receiving stolen weapons, vehicles, or pets. Convictions may lead to:
- Three (3) to five (5) years in state prison
- Maximum fine of $15,000
- Restitution for victims
Fourth-degree criminal charges of receiving stolen property can result from receiving between $200 and $500 in stolen goods. Convictions may lead to:
- Maximum 18 months in state prison
- Fines up to $10,000
- Restitution
Disorderly persons charges of receiving stolen property may result from receiving less than $200 worth of stolen property. Convictions may lead to:
- Six (6) months in county jail
- Probation
- Restitution
Clifton, NJ Unlawful Movement of Stolen Goods Lawyers Discuss Defenses
Being the recipient of stolen property can be an honest mistake. The most difficult piece of these charges for prosecutors to prove is often the “presumption of knowledge”. Even within the section about being in the business of buying or selling the items in question, our Clifton defense lawyers may be able to show that you did, in fact, make a reasonable effort to find out where the goods were coming from.
Additionally, we may be able to challenge the value of the property, or whether or not it was taken “by means of extortion”. For items of lesser value, whether or not extortion was involved in the stealing or transport of items can mean the difference between a second-degree conviction and 10 years in state prison and a disorderly persons conviction with no jail time at all.
Our lawyers will want to work with you on an individual level to learn the details of your charges and how we can build a tailor-made defense. Unlawful receipt of stolen goods is a very serious charge, but often a very winnable case for the defense.
Contact Our Little Falls Receiving Stolen Goods Attorneys Today
At The Montanari Law Group, our legal team has extensive experience defending clients from receiving stolen goods and other theft and fraud charges in New Jersey towns including Wayne, Woodland Park, Clifton, Paterson, West Milford, Little Falls, and all of Passaic County. We believe in working closely with clients charged with receiving stolen property in order to seek reduced or dismissed charges and help them move on with their lives.
Contact us online or through our Little Falls offices by calling (973) 233-4396 today for a free and confidential consultation with a member of our criminal defense team. We will be standing by to discuss the details of your receiving stolen property or other theft-related charges and how we can best serve you.
