Accused of being an Accessory to Crime in Weld County? The affordable and experienced lawyers at The O’Malley Law Office can help you navigate the Weld County Court system. A person helping an accused criminal avoid being caught, arrested, convicted, or sentenced could find themselves charged with Accessory to Crime After the Fact or what is sometimes referred to as Accessory After the Fact. Below, our defense lawyers discuss Accessory After the Fact defenses and these topics:
- What is the Definition of Accessory to a Crime, C.R.S. 18-8-105, in Greeley, Colorado?
- In Weld County, what can be considered as Accessory After the Fact?
- What is the Sentence for an Accessory to Crime conviction in Greeley, Colorado?
- In Weld County, how is an Accessory to Crime Charge different from an Accomplice Charge?
- What are Defenses to Criminal Charges of Accessory to a Crime in Greeley, Colorado?
What is the Definition of Accessory to a Crime, C.R.S. 18-8-105, in Greeley, Colorado?
A person is an accessory to crime if, with intent to hinder, delay, or prevent the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of another for the commission of a crime, he renders assistance to such person.
(a) Harbor or conceal the other; or
(a.5) Harbor or conceal the victim or a witness to the crime; or
(b) Warn such person of impending discovery or apprehension; except that this does not apply to a warning given in an effort to bring such person into compliance with the law; or
(c) Provide such person with money, transportation, weapon, disguise, or other thing to be used in avoiding discovery or apprehension; or
(d) By force, intimidation, or deception, obstruct anyone in the performance of any act which might aid in the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of such person; or
(e) Conceal, destroy, or alter any physical or testimonial evidence that might aid in the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of such person.
It is important to note that even if the criminal is never charged with a crime, another person can still be charged with Accessory to Crime by aiding a criminal in an effort to avoid the authorities.
In Weld County What Can Be Considered as Accessory After the Fact?
When someone knowingly helps a criminal escape law enforcement in Weld County, they can be charged with Accessory After the Fact. Examples of being an accessory to a crime could include:
- Hiding a suspect.
- Giving false information to law enforcement about where a fugitive is.
- Helping someone accused of a crime alter their appearance to avoid being arrested.
- Hiding a weapon from the police to help a person accused of using it in a crime.
- Giving a fugitive a car or ticket to leave.
What Are the Sentence and Penalties for an Accessory to Crime Conviction in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley, the sentence and penalties for Accessory to Crime is based on what crime the person you were helping was committing. These can be misdemeanors to felonies.
| Crime Accused of Being an Accessory To | Sentence and Penalties for Being an Accessory |
| Misdemeanor | Class 1 petty offense
Up to 6 months in Weld County Jail, and up to $500 in fines |
| Class 6 Felony | Class 6 felony
1 year-18 months in Colorado State Prison, $1,000 to $100,000 in fines, and 1 year of mandatory parole |
| Class 5, 4 or Class 3 Felony | Class 5 felony
1 to 3 years in prison, $1,000 to $100,000 in fines and 2 years of mandatory parole |
| Class 2 or Class 1 Felony | If alleged criminal is only suspected of or wanted
then a Class 5 felony, with 1 to 3 years in prison, and/$1,000 to $100,000 in fines, and 2 years of mandatory parole
If the criminal has committed, been convicted or, or is charged with the class 1 or 2 felony then a Class 4 felony, 2 to 6 years in prison, $2,000 to $500,000 in fines, and 3 years of mandatory parole
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In Weld County How is an Accessory to Crime Charge Different from An Accomplice Charge?
Simply put, in Weld County an Accessory to Crime is someone who aids a criminal from capture or arrest and an Accomplice is someone who aids in the crime itself. An Accomplice is charged the same as the principal or the person who was aided in the crime, while Accessories usually face a lesser charge.
What Are Defenses to Criminal Charges to Accessory to a Crime in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley, some common defenses to Accessory to a Crime in could include:
- No help was actually given
- The defendant did not know that the person was suspected of a crime
- The defendant did not intend to hide, prevent the discovery of, or aid the criminal
Are you or a loved one accused of Accessory to Crime in Greeley or Weld County? Be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call the experienced attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office, 970-616-6009. Together we can protect you and your loved one’s future.
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