what are my rights if i did not know i bought a stolen item?

Question

let's say i bought a Wheels(rims) for my car or just anything that you use it out in the open public from a someone. But did not know that it's stolen. So then somehow the original owner happens to see it, and point out that belongs to them and calls the police and have proof that it really belongs to them (maybe serial number on the product).

What are your rights in this? Do i still have rights over the good because i bought it or will the police just confiscate it and i loose the money i bought it with? How will this turn out?

if i have emails proof that i bought it from someone. Let's say from Craigslist.

should they charge me of a stolen possession, would i get the charge dropped?

Answer 1

Well you don't have any rights to keep the item, you lose whatever you paid for it.

As far as being charged, the court would have to prove you knew it was stolen, and that's not just by someone saying so. If you paid, say $50, for an item that you know should cost $500, you knew something wasn't right in Tulsa, and a judge or jury would probably not be very convinced you didn't know it was hot.

Answer 2

If you purchase an item from someone on the street, I doubt anyone would believe you didn't know it was stolen. Most people by wheels from a store.

However, if you were a buyer in the ordinary course of business, you would not be guilty of any crime. If the owner can prove the items were stolen, then you would have to look at your local law to see how this is resolved. In some states, your status as a buyer in the ordinary course of business you give you the right to retain the property. In other states you would have to give it back and seek reimbursement from the person you purchased the items from. That is done through restitution (only if the guy is caught and convicted).

Next time, don't be willfully blind as to whether or not an item is stolen.

Answer 3

You would lose the item and your money. The original owner would get the item back. You could then pursue the person you purchased the item from to get your money back- but you may not be successful (that whole blood from a turnip thing).

Hey - but on the up side - if your rims were ever stolen and you happened to see them and be able to prove it - you would get your rims back and the guy that purchased the stolen rims would be out of luck!

Answer 4

The police can confiscate it and yes you loose the money you paid for them. You could be charged with possession of stolen property.

Answer 5

You have no rights to the illegal goods.

They still belong to the rightful owner.

Now you can tell the police, who you bought the stolen goods from.

And you could sue the person you bought the stolen goods from, to recover your money.

But in reality, what you get, is a hard life lesson.

Pay attenetion who you deal with.

Answer 6

THE POLICE WILL INVESTIGATE. THE ACCUSER HAS TO PROVE THE GOODS BELONG TO HIM.

CALL A LAWYER AND TALK TO HIM/HER AND GET SOME ADVICE ON WHAT TO SAY TO AN OFFICER IF HE COMES TO TALK TO YOU.

GET ALL OF YOUR PROOF TOGETHER HOW YOU ATTAINED THESE WHEELS. WITNESSES ETC. BUT TALK TO A LAWYER FIRST. YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO TO JAIL. DO NOT DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH ANYONE UNTIL YOU TALK TO A LAWYER. REMEMBER A SLIP OF THE LIP, SUNK A SHIP.

YOU COULD BE IN TROUBLE FOR RECEIVING STOLEN GOODS...

Answer 7

some dressmaker bags do have serial numbers. in case you products which you recognize are stolen, then sure you may get into hassle. additionally, they might take the handbag faraway from you and not supply you a dime for it.

Answer 8

in law you have no rights

ignorance of the fact the goods were stolen is not a defense

you would just lose your money



all the best
Ian

Answer 9

no rights if he can prove its is