Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 750 / Act 328 of 1931
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535 (2026)

Buying, receiving, possessing, concealing, or aiding in concealment of stolen, embezzled, or converted property or motor vehicle; violation; penalty; rebuttable presumption; enhanced sentence based on prior convictions; prohibited defense.

✓ current as of July 2026
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THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE


Act 328 of 1931


750.535 Buying, receiving, possessing, concealing, or aiding in concealment of stolen, embezzled, or converted property or motor vehicle; violation; penalty; rebuttable presumption; enhanced sentence based on prior convictions; prohibited defense.

Sec. 535.

    (1) A person shall not buy, receive, possess, conceal, or aid in the concealment of stolen, embezzled, or converted money, goods, or property knowing, or having reason to know or reason to believe, that the money, goods, or property is stolen, embezzled, or converted.

    (2) If any of the following apply, a person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $15,000.00 or 3 times the value of the property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:

    (a) The property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed has a value of $20,000.00 or more.

    (b) The property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed has a value of $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00, and the person has 2 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under this section. For purposes of this subdivision, however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for a violation or attempted violation of subsection (4)(b) or (5).

    (3) If any of the following apply, a person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00 or 3 times the value of the property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:

    (a) The property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed has a value of $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00.

    (b) The property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed has a value of $200.00 or more but less than $1,000.00, and the person has 1 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under this section. For purposes of this subdivision, however, a prior conviction does not include a conviction for a violation or attempted violation of subsection (4)(b) or (5).

    (4) If any of the following apply, a person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $2,000.00 or 3 times the value of the property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine:

    (a) The property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed has a value of $200.00 or more but less than $1,000.00.

    (b) The property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed has a value of less than $200.00, and the person has 1 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under this section or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to this section.

    (5) If the property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed has a value of less than $200.00, a person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00 or 3 times the value of the property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.

    (6) The values of property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed in separate incidents pursuant to a scheme or course of conduct within any 12-month period may be aggregated to determine the total value of property purchased, received, possessed, or concealed.

    (7) A person shall not buy, receive, possess, conceal, or aid in the concealment of a stolen motor vehicle knowing, or having reason to know or reason to believe, that the motor vehicle is stolen, embezzled, or converted. Except as provided in subsection (8), a person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00 or 3 times the value of the motor vehicle purchased, received, possessed, or concealed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine. A person who is charged with, convicted of, or punished for a violation of this subsection shall not be convicted of or punished for a violation of another provision of this section arising from the purchase, receipt, possession, concealment, or aiding in the concealment of the same motor vehicle. This subsection does not prohibit the person from being charged, convicted, or punished under any other applicable law.

    (8) A person who violates subsection (7) and has 1 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under this section, other than a violation of subsection (4)(b) or (5), is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $15,000.00 or 3 times the value of the vehicle purchased, received, possessed, or concealed, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.

    (9) If the prosecuting attorney intends to seek an enhanced sentence based upon the defendant having 1 or more prior convictions, the prosecuting attorney shall include on the complaint and information a statement listing the prior conviction or convictions. The existence of the defendant's prior conviction or convictions shall be determined by the court, without a jury, at sentencing or at a separate hearing for that purpose before sentencing. The existence of a prior conviction may be established by any evidence relevant for that purpose, including, but not limited to, 1 or more of the following:

    (a) A copy of the judgment of conviction.

    (b) A transcript of a prior trial, plea-taking, or sentencing.

    (c) Information contained in a presentence report.

    (d) The defendant's statement.

    (10) A person who is a dealer in or collector of merchandise or personal property, or the agent, employee, or representative of a dealer or collector of merchandise or personal property who fails to reasonably inquire whether the person selling or delivering the stolen, embezzled, or converted property to the dealer or collector has a legal right to do so or who buys or receives stolen, embezzled, or converted property that has a registration, serial, or other identifying number altered or obliterated on an external surface of the property, is presumed to have bought or received the property knowing the property is stolen, embezzled, or converted. This presumption is rebuttable.

    (11) If the sentence for a conviction under this section is enhanced by 1 or more prior convictions, those prior convictions shall not be used to further enhance the sentence for the conviction under section 10, 11, or 12 of chapter IX of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 769.10, 769.11, and 769.12.

    (12) It is not a defense to a charge under this section that the property was not stolen, embezzled, or converted property at the time of the violation if the property was explicitly represented to the accused person as being stolen, embezzled, or converted property.

History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- Am. 1941, Act 11, Eff. Jan. 10, 1942 ;-- CL 1948, 750.535 ;-- Am. 1952, Act 40, Eff. Sept. 18, 1952 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 69, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957 ;-- Am. 1972, Act 242, Eff. Mar. 30, 1973 ;-- Am. 1974, Act 55, Imd. Eff. Apr. 1, 1974 ;-- Am. 1979, Act 11, Eff. Mar. 27, 1980 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 311, Eff. Jan. 1, 1999 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 720, Eff. Apr. 1, 2003 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 374, Eff. Oct. 1, 2006 ;-- Am. 2014, Act 221, Eff. Mar. 31, 2015

Constitutionality Notes:

    The statutory presumption in MCL 750.535(2) that a dealer in personal property is presumed to know that property received with an altered serial number is stolen does not violate due process requirements because there is a rational connection between the proven facts and the fact presumed. People v Gallagher, 404 Mich 429; 273 NW2d 440 (1979).

FormerLaw Notes:

    See section 20 of Ch. 154 of R.S. 1846, being CL 1857, § 5764; CL 1871, § 7571; How., § 9142; CL 1897, § 11556; CL 1915, § 15301; CL 1929, § 16902; and Act 220 of 1897.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 418 cases (59 in the last 5 years), 1955–2026 · leading case: People v. March, 499 Mich. 389 (Mich. 2016).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
People v. March, 499 Mich. 389 (Mich. 2016). · cites it 3× “360, “by stealing counter tops, sink, furnace, doors, hot water heater, grab bars, [and] cabinets,” and receiving, possessing, or concealing stolen goods worth more than $200 but less than $1,000, MCL 750.535(4)(a). In June 2013, defendant filed his first motion to quash the…”
People v. Gallagher, 273 N.W.2d 440 (Mich. 1979). · cites it 10× “PER CURIAM: The defendant challenges the constitutionality of MCLA 750.535; MSA 28.803, on the grounds that it violates the privilege against self-incrimination, the presumption of innocence and due process.”
People v. Saffold, 631 N.W.2d 320 (Mich. 2001). · cites it 6× “§ 750.535, and to being a fourth felony offender, M.”
People v. Kyllonen, 262 N.W.2d 2 (Mich. 1978). · cites it 7× “These separate criminal cases present a single narrow and unique question of statutory interpretation: When the Legislature enacted *140 MCLA 750.535; MSA 28.803, 1 which proscribes, inter alia, "aid[ing] in the concealment of * * * stolen * * * property”, did it intend to…”
People v. Kachar, 252 N.W.2d 807 (Mich. 1977). · cites it 4× “[10] *88 Kachar was convicted by the jury of receiving stolen property, MCLA 750.535; MSA 28.803, and sentenced to 2-1/2-to-5 years imprisonment.”
People v. Nutt, 677 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 2004). · cites it 2× “A second count in the complaint and warrant alleged that defendant had received stolen property in excess of $100 in violation of MCL 750.535 on the basis of the theft of Smith's bow and arrows, as well as electronics and other property stolen from another residence.”
Michigan v. Doran, 439 U.S. 282 (1978). · cites it 2× “Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535 (1970). The charge rested on Doran's possession of a stolen truck bearing California license plates, which he had driven from Arizona.”
Marshall Lasser, PC v. George, 651 N.W.2d 158 (Mich. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 2× “In People v Kyllonen, 402 Mich 135 ; 262 NW2d 2 (1978), our Supreme Court was presented with the issue whether the then-current version of MCL 750.535 “provide [d] an alternative statute under which thieves *113 could be convicted .”
People v. Smith, 360 N.W.2d 841 (Mich. 1984). · cites it 3× “MCL 750.535; MSA 28.803. Following the preliminary examination, defendant, inter alia, filed a motion to suppress the trailer as evidence against him.”
People v. Pratt, 656 N.W.2d 866 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 2× “Defendant appeals as of right from his conviction of receiving and concealing stolen property valued at more than $1,000, but less than $20,000, MCL 750.535(3)(a). Defendant was sentenced as a fourth-offense habitual offender, MCL 769.”
People v. Steanhouse, 880 N.W.2d 297 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “83, and receiving and concealing stolen property less than $20,000, MCL 750.535(3)(a). He was sentenced to 30 to 60 years’ imprisonment for his assault with intent to commit murder conviction and 1 to 5 years’ imprisonment for his receiving and concealing stolen property…”
People of Michigan v. Alexander Jeremy Steanhouse, 911 N.W.2d 253 (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). “83, and receiving or concealing stolen property, MCL 750.535(3)(a). Although Steanhouse's minimum sentencing guidelines range was 171 to 285 months, the trial court departed upward and sentenced him to 30 to 60 years' imprisonment for the assault conviction and to one to five…”
Show all 418 citing cases →
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(1) — 17 cases
People v. Erskin, 285 N.W.2d 396 (Mich. Ct. App. 1979).
People v. Gallagher, 273 N.W.2d 440 (Mich. 1979). “PER CURIAM: The defendant challenges the constitutionality of MCLA 750.535; MSA 28.803, on the grounds that it violates the privilege against self-incrimination, the presumption of innocence and due process.”
People v. Ainsworth, 495 N.W.2d 177 (Mich. Ct. App. 1992).
People v. Hastings, 373 N.W.2d 533 (Mich. 1985).
People v. Wilson, 668 N.W.2d 371 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(11) — 1 case
People v. Allen, 884 N.W.2d 548 (Mich. 2016).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(2) — 3 cases
People v. Gallagher, 273 N.W.2d 440 (Mich. 1979). “PER CURIAM: The defendant challenges the constitutionality of MCLA 750.535; MSA 28.803, on the grounds that it violates the privilege against self-incrimination, the presumption of innocence and due process.”
People v. Gallagher, 241 N.W.2d 759 (Mich. Ct. App. 1976).
People v. Barnes, 379 N.W.2d 464 (Mich. Ct. App. 1985).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(2)(a) — 17 cases
People v. Feliciano, 780 N.W.2d 254 (Mich. 2010).
People of Michigan v. Michael Georgie Carson (Mich. 2025).
People v. Hudgins, 697 N.W.2d 156 (Mich. 2005).
People of Michigan v. Damian Mathew Massa (Mich. Ct. App. 2016).
People of Michigan v. Sandra Kay Vlaz-St Andre (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(2)(b) — 2 cases
People of Michigan v. Jeffrey Martin Six (Mich. Ct. App. 2020).
People of Michigan v. Jacquill Burks Allen (Mich. Ct. App. 2026).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(3) — 4 cases
People of Michigan v. Troy Nell Brandom (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
People of Michigan v. Troy Nell Brandom (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
People of Michigan v. Sahr Richardson (Mich. Ct. App. 2019).
Stevenson v. William Noble Rare Jewels, LP (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2023).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(3)(a) — 54 cases
People v. Pratt, 656 N.W.2d 866 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003). “Defendant appeals as of right from his conviction of receiving and concealing stolen property valued at more than $1,000, but less than $20,000, MCL 750.535(3)(a). Defendant was sentenced as a fourth-offense habitual offender, MCL 769.”
People v. Steanhouse, 880 N.W.2d 297 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015). “83, and receiving and concealing stolen property less than $20,000, MCL 750.535(3)(a). He was sentenced to 30 to 60 years’ imprisonment for his assault with intent to commit murder conviction and 1 to 5 years’ imprisonment for his receiving and concealing stolen property…”
People of Michigan v. Alexander Jeremy Steanhouse, 911 N.W.2d 253 (Mich. Ct. App. 2017). “83, and receiving or concealing stolen property, MCL 750.535(3)(a). Although Steanhouse's minimum sentencing guidelines range was 171 to 285 months, the trial court departed upward and sentenced him to 30 to 60 years' imprisonment for the assault conviction and to one to five…”
People v. Davis, 695 N.W.2d 45 (Mich. 2005).
People v. Wilson, 668 N.W.2d 371 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(4) — 1 case
People of Michigan v. Jimmie Walker Jr (Mich. Ct. App. 2019).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(4)(a) — 8 cases
People v. March, 499 Mich. 389 (Mich. 2016). “360, “by stealing counter tops, sink, furnace, doors, hot water heater, grab bars, [and] cabinets,” and receiving, possessing, or concealing stolen goods worth more than $200 but less than $1,000, MCL 750.535(4)(a). In June 2013, defendant filed his first motion to quash the…”
People v. Ackah-Essien, 874 N.W.2d 172 (Mich. Ct. App. 2015).
People v. Osby, 804 N.W.2d 903 (Mich. Ct. App. 2011).
People of Michigan v. Brandon Lee Kendall (Mich. Ct. App. 2019).
People of Michigan v. Elmore Nichols Jr (Mich. Ct. App. 2018).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(5) — 10 cases
People v. Meeks, 293 Mich. App. 115 (Mich. Ct. App. 2011).
People of Michigan v. Darius Rush (Mich. Ct. App. 2016).
People of Michigan v. Cornelius Marquis Hughes (Mich. Ct. App. 2019).
People of Michigan v. Tevin Michel Cabbil (Mich. Ct. App. 2016).
People of Michigan v. Darius Rush (Mich. Ct. App. 2018).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(7) — 56 cases
People v. Cain, 829 N.W.2d 37 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012).
People of Michigan v. Troy Nell Brandom (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
People of Michigan v. Troy Nell Brandom (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
Copeland v. Brewer, 99 F. Supp. 3d 754 (E.D. Mich. 2015).
People of Michigan v. Dwayne Martez Moore (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(a) — 2 cases
People of Michigan v. Troy Nell Brandom (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
People of Michigan v. Troy Nell Brandom (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
— Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.535(a)(7) — 2 cases
People of Michigan v. Troy Nell Brandom (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
People of Michigan v. Troy Nell Brandom (Mich. Ct. App. 2017).
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