The typical consequences of possession of stolen property are jail or prison time and fines. For minor charges of possessing stolen property, a person is likely to receive an order to pay fines or serve a relatively short jail sentence. For more serious charges, however, he is likely to receive more jail time, and he may be fined as well. The penalties a person faces typically depend on whether or not he has a criminal record and any complicating circumstances that occurred when he committed the crime.

The main consequence of possession of stolen property is a criminal charge. In many jurisdictions a person is guilty of committing this crime if two conditions are met. A person meets the first condition by receiving stolen property. In order for this to be a crime, however, the person must have known the items he received were stolen. If he was unaware that they were stolen, he cannot be charged with or convicted of a crime in many jurisdictions.

In many cases, the consequences of receiving stolen property may include monetary fines or jail time. The fine applied often depends on the value of the stolen property the individual had in his possession. Likewise, the value of the stolen property may influence the amount of jail time he will have to serve. If a person is convicted of a minor charge, which is referred to as a misdemeanor in many jurisdictions, he may receive a sentence of up to a year in jail. Depending on the jurisdiction and the unique details of the case, an individual may face both fines and a jail sentence.

In some cases, the crime of possession of stolen property is considered a felony offense. In many jurisdictions, a felony is the most serious type of offense a person can commit. If convicted of felony possession of stolen property, a person may be sent to a local jail or serve a sentence in a regional prison instead. Felony sentences are typically longer than those given for misdemeanor stolen property charges.

The penalties a person may face for possession of stolen property may depend on the unique circumstances of the case. If the accused person has a criminal record, he may face stiffer penalties. Likewise, he may also face higher fines or longer sentencing if he committed another type of crime while in possession of stolen property.