Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurt V
What Jim described above is how it works in most states. To be guilty of receiving stolen property the prosecutor has to be able to prove the pawn shop owner knew the property was stolen. Very had to meet the burden.
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I could see that in order to be guilty of a crime (receiving stolen goods), it might have to be shown that the pawn shop owner knew the goods were stolen.
But title to the property is a separate issue. I can't imagine that it is the rule in any state that if you can show the property is yours, and was stolen, that you don't have the right under the law to have it returned to you, without having to pay the pawnshop owner.
Of course, the pawnshop owner has you over a bit of a barrel. If the item is a $50 radio, say, and you have the police report showing it was stolen, and the receipt for it with the serial number on it, the pawnshop could still refuse to give it back, unless ordered to. They could force you to get the police or courts involved. So, in that case, yeah, it would be "quickest and easiest" for you to pay $25 to get the radio back. But that is scum behavior by the pawnshop, who is essentially holding your radio hostage.