Have you been charged in Weld County with being an Accessory to a Crime? You need Weld County’s top lawyers to defend your case. When you help a friend out after they’ve committed a crime like Assault or Burglary, then you can also be charged with being an Accessory to a Crime or Accessory After the Fact. This charge can happen if you help a criminal elude police, avoid arrest, hide evidence, or offer a false alibi. The top criminal lawyers at the O’Malley Office discuss being an Accessory to a Crime below and how a hiring a skilled attorney can help you fight for your rights.
#1 What is the Definition of Accessory After the Fact, C.R.S. 18-8-105, in Greeley, Colorado?
(2) “Render assistance” means to:
(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.
#2 What is the Difference Between an Accomplice / Complicitor and an Accessory to a Crime in Weld County?
In Weld County, an accomplice or complicitor to a crime is someone who assists, aids, or helps while a crime is happening. An Accessory to a Crime is someone who after the fact, lends help or aid to an alleged criminal after a crime has happened. It is important to note that an accomplice / complictitor is more often charged with the same charges as another person, whereas an Accessory After the Fact is generally charged with lesser charges.
#3 What are the Penalties, Punishment and Sentence of an Accessory After the Fact Charge in Greeley, Colorado?
The sentence, penalties and punishment for an Accessory After the Fact conviction depends on what crime the defendant is accused of being an Accessory to. If the crime is a misdemeanor, then the sentence is a class 1 petty offense with penalties of up to 6 months in Weld County Jail, and up to $500 in fines. If the crime is a class 5, 4, or 3 felony, then the sentence is class 5 felony with penalties of 1 to 3 years in a Colorado State prison, and $1,000 to $100,000 in fines with 2 years of mandatory parole. If the crime is a class 2 or 1 felony then the sentence for Accessory to the Crime is a class 4 felony with penalties of 2 to 6 years in prison, and $2,000 to $500,000 in fines, with 3 years of mandatory parole. You are always at risk for an accessory charge if you provide any favors or help to someone who has committed a crime or is wanted by the police.
#4 Why Hire a Top Weld County Attorney and How Can They Defend Your Accessory After the Fact Charge?
When facing a charge of Accessory After the Fact or Accessory to a Crime, you need to hire a skilled criminal defense attorney. Don’t hire a divorce or personal injury attorney to help you out. Your life, job, and future rests in having an attorney who can fight for you and get you the best outcome in your case. While every case is different, here are some possible defenses that the attorneys at The O’Malley Law Office could use in your Accessory to a Crime case are:
- You did not help or assist the other person.
- You did not know that a crime had happened or that the other person was suspected of a crime.
- You did not hinder the police in any way of finding, arresting, or detaining the other person.
- You did things you’ve done before for a friend in need, and there was no intent to help them get away or avoid arrest.
If you or a loved one is being charged with Accessory to a Crime, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call the experienced attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office, at 970-616-6009. Together we can protect your future.
Image by Sammy-Williams from Pixabay