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McGuire Law

Columbia Stolen Property Defense Lawyer

Stolen property charges in Columbia, South Carolina create criminal records that destroy employment opportunities, professional licenses, and future prospects based on allegations that you knowingly possessed, received, or concealed items someone else stole—even when you had no idea merchandise was stolen or bought items legitimately from yard sales, online marketplaces, or acquaintances.

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Available 24/7 - Immediate Response for Stolen Property Charges

Attorney Matt McGuire

Whether arrested after selling items at a Two Notch Road pawn shop, charged because police found property in your vehicle or Columbia home, accused of receiving stolen goods purchased on Facebook Marketplace, or facing prosecution based on co-defendant statements implicating you in theft operations, these charges carry felony consequences including years in South Carolina Department of Corrections. Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff's Office, and multi-jurisdictional property crimes units aggressively investigate stolen property cases using serial number databases, pawn shop transaction monitoring, and confidential informants building prosecutions against people who never participated in original thefts.

Matt McGuire has defended stolen property charges throughout Columbia for over three decades, understanding how innocent people get caught possessing items they didn't know were stolen, how relationship dynamics create criminal liability, and how prosecutors pursue convictions based on circumstantial evidence and assumptions rather than proof you actually knew property was stolen. Call (888) 499-5738 now for 24/7/365 representation.

The Legal Expertise of McGuire Law

Stolen property defense demands attorneys who understand the knowledge requirement that separates innocent purchasers from criminal defendants—and how to prove you didn't know items were stolen.

Knowledge Requirement Mastery

Over 30 years defending stolen property charges in Columbia—understanding that prosecutors must prove you knew or should have known items were stolen, not just that you possessed them.

Good Faith Purchaser Defense

Building defenses around legitimate transactions—yard sales, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, acquaintance sales—where reasonable people wouldn't suspect items were stolen.

Property Valuation Challenges

Attacking inflated valuations prosecutors use to elevate misdemeanors to felonies—obtaining appraisals showing fair market value below the $2,000 felony threshold.

Search and Seizure Defense

Challenging illegal vehicle searches, home entries without warrants, and Fourth Amendment violations that can result in evidence suppression and case dismissal.

Co-Defendant Statement Challenges

Attacking unreliable statements from co-defendants seeking reduced sentences by implicating others—exposing incentivized testimony and false accusations.

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Specific Charges We Defend

South Carolina's stolen property statutes create criminal liability based on possession combined with knowledge—with penalties matching the underlying theft classification.

Receiving Stolen Goods

S.C. Code § 16-13-180 criminalizes buying, receiving, or possessing property knowing or having reason to know it was stolen—with penalties matching underlying theft classification.

Felony Receiving Stolen Goods

When property value exceeds $2,000, charges become felonies carrying up to 10 years imprisonment in South Carolina Department of Corrections.

Misdemeanor Receiving Stolen Goods

Property valued under $2,000 constitutes misdemeanor receiving stolen goods, punishable by up to three years imprisonment.

Possession of Stolen Vehicle

S.C. Code § 16-21-80 creates separate offense for stolen vehicle possession carrying enhanced penalties regardless of involvement in original theft.

Criminal Conspiracy

Prosecutors charge conspiracy when alleging you agreed with others to receive, sell, or distribute stolen property—even without possessing items yourself.

Trafficking in Stolen Goods

Organized operations involving multiple transactions, substantial quantities, or interstate commerce elements create enhanced trafficking charges.

Knowledge Requirement Critical

Prosecutors must prove you actually knew property was stolen or circumstances would make a reasonable person suspicious. Mere possession is not enough for conviction.

McGuire Law's Core Values

Stolen property charges often target people who made innocent purchases or got caught in circumstances beyond their control—we provide aggressive defense that recognizes this reality.

Presumption of Innocence

We start from the premise that you didn't know property was stolen—building defenses around legitimate explanations rather than assuming guilt from possession alone.

Evidence-Based Strategy

Every defense relies on documentation, transaction records, witness statements, and circumstances proving reasonable people wouldn't suspect items were stolen.

Prosecutor Accountability

Holding the state to its burden of proving knowledge—not letting prosecutors convict based on assumptions, suspicions, or guilt by association.

Client Communication

Explaining how stolen property law works, what prosecutors must prove, and realistic assessments of defense options so you can make informed decisions.

Employment Protection

Understanding that theft-related convictions destroy careers in retail, warehousing, logistics, and any position involving merchandise—fighting to protect your livelihood.

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Common Arrest Scenarios

Understanding how stolen property investigations begin reveals defense opportunities and weaknesses in prosecution cases.

Pawn Shop Transactions

Serial number checks at Columbia pawn shops reveal items were reported stolen, triggering investigations into sellers who had no idea merchandise was stolen.

Online Marketplace Sales

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp transactions where buyers or sellers report suspicious transactions to police—often based on price alone.

Traffic Stop Discoveries

Officers discover property during vehicle stops and run serial numbers through NCIC stolen property databases—charging drivers who bought items legitimately.

Search Warrant Executions

Police executing search warrants at Columbia homes find property matching serial numbers from burglary or theft reports—arresting residents for possession.

Co-Defendant Cooperation

Individuals arrested for theft implicate others who received, stored, or helped sell items—often falsely to reduce their own sentences.

Confidential Informant Operations

Undercover buyers or sellers working with Columbia Police make controlled transactions, documenting property crimes through entrapment-like tactics.

The McGuire Law Difference

Stolen property cases require an attorney who understands that possession doesn't equal guilt—and knows how to prove you had no reason to suspect items were stolen.

Three Decades of Property Crime Defense

Matt McGuire has defended stolen property charges throughout Columbia for over 30 years, protecting clients from theft convictions in Richland and Lexington County courtrooms.

Former Prosecutor Perspective

As a former Assistant Attorney General and Assistant Solicitor, Matt understands how prosecutors try to prove knowledge—and where those arguments fall apart under scrutiny.

Valuation Challenge Expertise

Retaining appraisers and experts to challenge inflated property valuations—potentially reducing felony charges to misdemeanors and prison time to probation.

Local Court Relationships

30+ years practicing in Columbia creates credibility with prosecutors and judges essential to negotiating favorable resolutions in property crime cases.

Comprehensive Evidence Review

Examining every transaction, receipt, communication, and circumstance to build defenses proving you had no knowledge items were stolen.

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Defense Strategies

South Carolina law requires prosecutors to prove knowledge—creating multiple defense avenues when you legitimately didn't know property was stolen.

Knowledge Defenses

  • Lack of knowledge proving no reason to believe property was stolen
  • Good faith purchaser arguments from legitimate-appearing sources
  • Fair market value payment indicating non-suspicious transaction
  • Receipt or documentation from seller supporting innocent purchase

Strategic Options

  • Challenging property identification and serial number matching
  • Constitutional search violations requiring evidence suppression
  • Attacking inflated valuations to reduce charge classifications
  • Entrapment defenses when induced by informants

Innocent Possession Defenses

Borrowing items, storing property for friends, or having items left in your home without knowledge creates viable defenses when you had no idea property was stolen.

Sentencing Consequences

Stolen property convictions create permanent criminal records that devastate employment opportunities and professional licenses across all industries.

Felony Prison Time

Felony receiving stolen goods carries up to 10 years imprisonment in South Carolina Department of Corrections when property value exceeds $2,000.

Misdemeanor Sentences

Misdemeanor receiving stolen goods for property under $2,000 still carries up to three years imprisonment—serious jail time for lesser charges.

Restitution Obligations

Courts require payment of full property value to victims, often thousands of dollars on top of fines and court costs.

Employment Barriers

Theft-related convictions destroy employment in retail, warehousing, logistics, and any positions involving merchandise handling—signaling dishonesty to employers.

Professional License Impacts

Nurses, teachers, security personnel, real estate agents, and licensed professionals face disciplinary proceedings for theft-related convictions.

Immigration Consequences

Non-citizens face deportation as theft-related offenses constitute crimes involving moral turpitude under federal immigration law.

Rights During Police Encounters

What you say to police about where you got items, how much you paid, or who you know becomes evidence used against you. Invoke your rights immediately.

Never Explain Sources

Don't explain where you got property without attorney present—innocent explanations about purchases, gifts, or borrowing become incriminating evidence.

Invoke Fifth Amendment

State clearly: "I want my lawyer and will not answer questions" when police ask about items in your possession—regardless of innocence.

Refuse Consent to Searches

Do not consent to searches of homes, vehicles, storage units, or phones—force officers to obtain warrants creating suppression opportunities.

Don't Identify Sources

Do not identify people who sold you items, gave you property, or asked you to store merchandise—these statements implicate you in larger operations.

Decline Value Estimates

Do not estimate values or provide purchase prices for items police question—your statements lock in valuations prosecutors use against you.

Protect Documentation

Do not provide receipts or transaction records without attorney review—documents you think exculpate may actually incriminate you.

Call Before Making Statements

Property Value Determinations

The difference between misdemeanor and felony charges often depends on property valuation—challenging inflated values can dramatically reduce penalties.

Retail vs. Fair Market Value

Prosecutors use original retail prices while defense argues depreciated actual worth—the difference often exceeds the $2,000 felony threshold.

Expert Appraisal Evidence

Qualified appraisers establish lower valuations that can reduce felony charges to misdemeanors—potentially avoiding prison entirely.

Aggregation Challenges

When prosecutors combine values of unrelated property to reach felony thresholds, strategic challenges can separate items into individual misdemeanor charges.

Used Condition Arguments

Wear, damage, or age reduces property value below prosecution claims—documentation of actual condition supports lower valuations.

Wholesale Pricing

When property was intended for resale rather than personal use, wholesale pricing arguments further reduce valuations.

Burden of Proof

Prosecution bears the burden of establishing value through receipts, expert testimony, or victim statements—Matt McGuire challenges insufficient proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Facing stolen property charges raises urgent questions about knowledge requirements, defenses, and consequences. Here are direct answers based on South Carolina law.

What if I didn't know the property was stolen?

Lack of knowledge is a complete defense. South Carolina law requires prosecutors to prove you knew or should have known items were stolen—not just that you possessed them.

I bought it at a yard sale. Can I still be charged?

Yes, you can be charged, but legitimate purchases from seemingly legitimate sources support good faith purchaser defenses. Transaction circumstances matter significantly.

What makes receiving stolen goods a felony?

Property value exceeding $2,000 elevates charges to felony receiving stolen goods. Challenging inflated valuations can reduce charges to misdemeanors.

Someone else left stolen property at my house. Am I liable?

Innocent possession without knowledge is a defense. If you didn't know items were stolen or even that they were in your home, prosecutors cannot prove required knowledge element.

Can pawn shop records be used against me?

Yes, but pawn shop transactions with proper ID and holding periods actually support good faith—you provided identification expecting legitimate scrutiny.

Should I explain to police where I got the items?

Never. Invoke your right to remain silent immediately. Innocent explanations become prosecution evidence. Call Matt McGuire before making any statements.

What's the difference between possession and receiving?

Both require knowledge. Receiving implies you obtained property from another; possession simply means having it. Either way, prosecutors must prove you knew items were stolen.

A co-defendant says I was involved. What now?

Co-defendant statements are often unreliable—made to reduce their own sentences. We attack incentivized testimony and expose false accusations motivated by self-interest.

Matt McGuire - Attorney

About South Carolina Attorney Matt McGuire

Matt McGuire South Carolina Attorney

With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.

McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.

Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.

Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.

Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.

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Get Started Today

When you're arrested for stolen property offenses in Columbia and detained at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, every statement about where you got items, how much you paid, or who you know becomes evidence used against you.

South Carolina law requires prosecutors to prove you knew or should have known items were stolen—a subjective standard that criminalizes legitimate purchases when circumstances seem suspicious in hindsight. Matt McGuire protects innocent purchasers from felony convictions. Call McGuire Law now.

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Columbia Office

2001 Assembly Street, Suite 102-B
Columbia, SC 29201

(888) 499-5738

Contact McGuire Law Today

Matt McGuire has defended stolen property charges throughout Columbia and South Carolina for over 30 years, protecting clients from theft convictions in Richland and Lexington County courtrooms. Call (888) 499-5738 immediately after arrest, before providing statements that cannot be retracted or clarified later.

"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't, you'll see obstacles." — Wayne Dyer