Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>> An ex-friend of mine gave my wife items that he had stolen out of our previous owners garage. Neither her nor I had any idea that the items were stolen and now I may be gettting charged with a Breaking and Entering because I was found in possesion of these items.


Asked on 12/16/10, 9:31 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Neil O'Brien Eaton County Special Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

No, you can't be convicted of B&E unless you participated, or helped or encouraged the actual burglar when the crime was committed. But, if you held on to the property after you knew "or had reason to know" that the property was stolen, then you can be convicted of receiving/concealing stolen property. Depending on the items' value, it could be a felony or a misdemeanor.

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Answered on 12/21/10, 10:07 am


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