Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Purchase of Stolen Goods.

Yes, receiving stolen goods is a crime, and the police are not going to hear your excuses like you didn't find out it was stolen until after the fact. That might be a good defense once you get arrested, make bail, get a lawyer, and go to court, but why go that route. Turn in the stolen laptop to the police or to its rightful owner and take the thief to small claims court for your money back.

Re: Purchase of Stolen Goods.

Receiving stolen property is a crime if the recipient knows the property is stolen when he receives it. Even where the recipient only learns this fact later, he may appear to have known all along and may be arrested.

Another issue the buyer will face is that, ordinarily, he will not become the legal owner of the property. If he (or someone else who obtained the stolen item before him) bought it in good faith from a seller who regularly deals in the same type of merchandise he may acquire legal title, but otherwise the victim of the theft will remain the legal owner and will be entitled to reclaim his property without paying compensation to the purchaser.