need advice again- this time a criminal matter

What is the name of your state? ca.

My niece buys and sells stuff online. she also buys storage lockers. in one locker she found a dismantled motorcycle. she sold it for parts online. now the police are coming around implying that the motorcycle was stolen and that my niece may be held responsible. She had no knowledge it was stolen and she bought it legally in a storage locker contents sale. What could she possibly be charged with and what defense does she have? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

She could be charged with violating PC 496, receiving stolen property. But to be convicted, the prosecution has to prove, circumstantially or otherwise, that she knew the property was stolen.

At the very least, she should have made some effort to identify the owners or to obtain title to the vehicle through the DMV. Failing to do that may cause her some grief.

A person cannot simply sell a vehicle even if it is abandoned in their yard. They still have to go through a paper process to receive legal ownership of the vehicle through salvage or a transfer of title process.

- Carl