Theft by Receiving Arrest in Georgia
Georgia law has two different statutes that address the crime of theft by receiving. The first section defines the offense of receiving stolen property while the second Georgia statute describes receiving property that was stolen from another state.
The first statute describing the crime of theft by receiving is transcribed in O.C.G.A. § 16-8-7. In this section, theft by receiving occurs when a person receives, disposes of, or retains stolen property, which he/she knows or should have known was stolen unless the property is received, disposed of, or retained with the intent to restore it to the rightful owner.
In order for the prosecution to convict a person of theft by receiving, it must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the following four elements. These elements include:
- The accused bought or received the goods in question;
- The goods in question have been stolen by some person other than the accused;
- At the time of the transaction, the accused knew or should have known that the goods in question were stolen; and
- The accused acted with criminal intent.
Therefore, if the direct and uncontested evidence proves that the accused is the original thief of the goods in question then the accused cannot be convicted of theft by receiving. Furthermore, even if the accused is not certain, but has reason to believe that the goods in question are stolen, the accused may have committed theft by receiving according to Georgia law.
The second section regarding the crime of theft by receiving is described in O.C.G.A. § 16-8-8. This statute is read in the same manner as O.C.G.A. § 16-8-7, except for the fact that the property in question was received, disposed of, or retained in another state other than the state of Georgia.
Value of Goods
In determining whether the theft by receiving charge will be characterized as a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the value of the goods/property, which were allegedly stolen, and then received by the accused. For misdemeanor theft by receiving convictions, usually the value of the goods in question must be estimated at a value less than $1,500. For a felony conviction, the goods in question must at least be valued at $1,500 or more. However, if the value of the goods is estimated at more than $1,500, but less than $5,000, the judge has discretion in sentencing the accused to either a misdemeanor or a felony. This is also true for theft by receiving offenses in which the value of the goods is at least $5,000, but less than $25,000.
Contact Us
Due to the severity of the punishment for a theft by receiving conviction, it is vitally important to hire a seasoned criminal defense attorney to defend you against such allegations. At the Law Offices of W. Scott Smith, our lawyers are trained to know all affirmative defenses for the offense of theft by receiving, as well as all possible options for an accused dealing with such a serious charge. We are experienced and skilled at defending such allegations and we work tirelessly to advocate for our clients and their constitutional rights. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been arrested for theft by receiving, please call our office today at 404-581-0999 for a free consultation.
