Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

Recently my son bought a stolen phone and returned it to it's rightful owner. However he did not point out the thief. The police said that my son will be charged with receiving stolen property if he dose not point out the thief. Was my son in violation of the law even though he voluntarily returned the phone before the police came and paid for it out of his own pocket without reward?


Asked on 5/30/10, 5:10 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Richard Cline Office of the Ohio Public Defender

If your son knew that the phone was stolen when he bought then he did commit the offense of receiving stolen property (RSP). However, if he bought the phone for the sole purpose of returning it to the rightful owner, then I doubt that he would be guilty of RSP. Likewise, if he bought the phone in good faith and then later found out it was stolen, then I do not think he would be guilty of RSP.

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Answered on 6/10/10, 10:09 am


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