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Simple English definitions for legal terms
fence
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A quick definition of fence:
A fence is a person who buys things that they know are stolen. They usually pretend that they don't know the items are stolen so they can sell them without getting in trouble. Sometimes, stolen goods are sold at a place called a fence. In some places, fence can also mean a warning not to interrupt or obstruct legal proceedings, or a punishment for breaking a law or contract.
A more thorough explanation:
A fence is a person who buys and sells stolen goods. They usually pretend not to know that the goods are stolen. They pay the thief a price for the stolen goods and then sell them to others. A place where stolen goods are sold can also be called a fence.
For example, if someone steals a TV and sells it to a fence, the fence will pay the thief some money for the TV and then sell it to someone else.
In Scots law, fence can also mean a formal warning to not interrupt or obstruct judicial or legislative proceedings, or a penalty of forfeiture prescribed in a statute or a contract.
Another example of a fence is a person who knowingly buys stolen jewelry from a thief and then sells it to someone else.