Possession of Stolen Goods

Under North Carolina law, the possession of stolen goods is considered a theft crime. This offense involves possessing, receiving, disposing of, or concealing property that you knew or should have known was stolen. Notably, not having actually stolen the property is not a defense to the possession of stolen goods, which can make it tough to defend against these allegations. However, a dedicated Charlotte theft crimes lawyer with the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, can help develop a compelling defense designed to minimize any impact your recent arrest has on the rest of your life.

At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we have decades of experience defending the rights and freedoms of clients charged with misdemeanor and felony theft crimes, including possession of stolen property. We take a comprehensive approach to every case we handle, ensuring we discuss every possible defense with you before working with you to determine which is most likely to succeed in your case.

The possession of stolen goods is a theft crime outlined in North Carolina Gen. Stat. § § 14-71.1. Simply put, this law provides that it is a Class H felony for anyone to have goods in their possession that they knew were stolen or had “reasonable grounds to believe” were stolen. Since a conviction can add a felony to your record, which carries the possibility of a prison sentence, it is important you talk to an attorney right away if you’ve been charged with felony possession of stolen goods.

In some cases, where the value of the allegedly stolen property is not more than $1,000, possession of stolen property is a misdemeanor offense. However, regardless of the value, possessing the following types of property with the knowledge they were stolen is still a felony offense:

• Property taken directly from another person;
• The property was taken during a burglary;
• The property consisted of a firearm or explosive device; or
• The property was a document or paper taken from the North Carolina State Archives.

Possession of stolen property is also a felony, regardless of value, if you have a prior larceny conviction.

Because this is a lower-level felony or misdemeanor charge, the bigger impact is often the collateral consequence of having a theft crime conviction on your record. This can make it harder to get into school, obtain a job, or qualify for certain professional licenses.

It is essential that you consider all the possible ramifications of a conviction so that you can better understand the best course of action. A Charlotte possession of stolen goods attorney at the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, can help you understand what’s at stake.

Charges related to the possession of stolen goods can often be challenged on the basis that you lacked the necessary knowledge that the property was stolen. Since the prosecution must prove that you knowingly possessed the stolen goods or property, it can be difficult to prove these charges. Of course, this highlights the fact that you should not talk to police officers or detectives because you may inadvertently give them evidence that could hurt your case down the road. Many times, with charges like these, if you do not say anything, it makes the government’s case much more difficult.

If you have been charged with the possession of stolen goods in Charlotte, it is imperative that you contact the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, as soon as possible. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we take our time getting to know you and your case so that our advice and guidance fit your situation. We have attorneys on our team who have decades of experience defending theft crimes such as possession of stolen goods. Our firm will work tirelessly on your behalf to fight to avoid the serious consequences of a conviction. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation today, call 704-405-2850, or connect with us through our secure online contact form.