Article 165 Stolen Property | Penal Law 165.50
New York Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree Lawyer
Criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree is a felony charge generally tied to higher alleged value. The defense often requires financial documentation, property records, recovery evidence, and a focused challenge to whether prosecutors can prove both value and knowledge.
Lebedin Kofman LLP represents clients in New York theft, larceny, stolen-property, fraud, and vehicle-related property cases. The firm focuses on early intervention, charge analysis, evidence review, and defense strategy designed to protect the client from both criminal penalties and long-term collateral consequences.
Call 646-663-4430 or contact the firm for a confidential consultation.
What prosecutors may focus on
- value evidence
- receipts and ownership records
- recovery reports
- knowledge
- control over the property
- communications
- search warrants
- restitution exposure
Defense issues in these cases
- disputing valuation
- challenging the connection between the client and the property
- reviewing digital and physical searches
- separating suspicious circumstances from proof of knowledge
In theft and property cases, small factual differences can change the charge, the potential punishment, and the best defense path. The value of property, whether the client knew property was stolen, whether there was consent, and whether the matter is really a civil dispute can all become central issues.
Early defense work may include contacting prosecutors before indictment, preserving video or digital records, reviewing police body-camera footage, analyzing receipts or account records, preparing for grand jury issues, and building a record for dismissal, reduction, acquittal, or a carefully negotiated resolution.
Related defense pages
Frequently asked questions
Can the alleged value be challenged in a stolen-property case?
Yes. Value is often contested through records, depreciation, market evidence, and whether the claimed valuation matches the legal standard.
Does being near stolen property prove the charge?
Not by itself. Prosecutors generally need proof of possession or control and proof that the person knew the property was stolen.
Contact Lebedin Kofman LLP
If you are under investigation or have been arrested for a theft, larceny, stolen-property, or related charge, speak with counsel as early as possible. Call 646-663-4430 or contact Lebedin Kofman LLP.