Accessory in Weld County Courts, also known as Accessory After the Fact, is an unusual crime which does not exist on its own. Our criminal defense lawyers practice in Eaton and Windsor, and know that Accessory combines with other crimes committed by other people. This makes it an inchoate crime. Accessory involves assisting another person AFTER they commit their own crime. Let’s learn more about this crime.
Accessory Definition in Greeley Courts | After the Crime of Another
When someone is charged with Accessory in Greeley, they will be accused of some type of help AFTER the crime of another. Legally, Colorado’s definition of Accessory is located at C.R.S. 18-8-105: “Accessory is when a person intends to hinder, delay, or prevent the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of another for the commission of a crime.” This definition is very broad and can encompass most any assistance to the person committing the underlying crime.
Examples of Accessory in Windsor and Weld County, Colorado
Examples of Accessory to a crime, such as Robbery, would be hiding the guy who robbed a bank until police have already come by locations looking for him. Another would be loaning someone a car so they can leave Loveland without suspicion. Finally, how about helping someone change their appearance, by giving them a new set of clothing, a wig, or car. If you decrease the chances of them getting caught by police, you are an accessory after the fact, to the commission of their crime. This might make you an Accessory to Robbery. Like Complicity (from another recent blog), Accessory is so broadly worded you can easily be charged if you lend any assistance which might be helpful to another person getting away with a crime.
How is Accessory Different from Complicity in Windsor and Greeley Colorado?
The two inchoate crimes of Accessory and Complicity are similar. Accessory involves assistance lent to another after a crime, while Complicity involves help before a crime. Each of them deal with helping another complete a crime and their escape. There is great value to society when we punish everyone who helped in committing a crime. Without someone’s assistance, however small, a crime might not have occurred or the person committing the crime might be caught. One interesting fact is that the person helping with the crime can be charged identically with the person who mainly perpetrated the offense – no matter how small the assistant’s role.
If you are accused of Complicity or Accessory to a crime in Greeley, Eaton or Windsor, never speak to police or answer their questions. Even though officers will make you many promises to get you to talk, none of them are enforceable and you will be helping them convict you. Don’t be fooled by the lies of police, use your constitutional right to remain silent. After that, call our criminal defense attorneys at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.
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