The law can be confusing in many ways. But one thing that is clear is that theft and receiving stolen property is a crime that is punishable by jail time if you are caught with this property. You do not have be the thief, but if you are in receipt of the stolen goods you are guilty as well.
If you were not aware of the receipt of stolen property you have to be proven in a court of law of your innocence. But in this case it is very difficult and you will be in a position to prove that you were not aware that the items were stolen. This can be a long and drawn out emotional process and change your life forever.
It is also punishable by law if the property if of a certain dollar amount. Over five thousand dollars is the legal minimum to prosecute someone for this crime. There are other factors such as transferring over a state border and attempting to conceal the stolen property.
If you are under suspicion or being prosecuted for this type of issue then you need to know the burden of proof with lay on the prosecutor. They have to be able to prove in court that you knew the property was stolen. They will also need to prove that you knew it and concealed this fact on purpose.
In certain states the crime is separated between receiving stolen property and possession of stolen property. You will typically be charged for each count and you could be convicted of one or both of these crimes. The prosecutor will usually go for both counts and see if you can be convicted of at least one.
These kinds of charges can be a life changing event. If you not aware of your receipt of stolen goods and then at a later date realize that you are then you need to consult a Houston theft defense lawyer immediately. They can guide you through what you need to do in reference to admission of this fact and how to return the property. Cooperating with authorities is your best bet in keeping yourself out of trouble as soon as you become knowledgeable of the situation.
If you think you are less guilty because you did not actually steal the property yourself, you can be in serious jeopardy of being convicted if you are caught. Do not play Russian roulette with your future and rectify the situation. Having a felony charge on your record can seriously affect the rest of your future.
Mr. Gonzalez is a Houston Criminal Lawyer and publishes general articles about law matters. None of his articles are intended to be law advice. If you have been accused of theft in the state of Texas, please contact a Houston theft defense lawyer to aid you with your case.
categories: theft,robbery,criminal law,lawyer,attorney,law,legal,advice,education
