The Difference Between an Accomplice to a Crime and an Accessory to a Crime in Weld County
Complicity or Accessory?

In Weld County, Colorado courts, being an Accessory (after the fact involvement) or an Accomplice (Complicitor / Complicit) to a Crime can have a criminal defendant facing charges even if they did not commit the crime. Being an Accomplice to a Crime is sometimes confused with being an Accessory to a Crime. Below, the experienced lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office will discuss the distinction between the two criminal charges of being an Accomplice or an Accessory to a Crime. If you are facing either of these charges in Larimer County, fined help here.

In Greeley, Colorado, What is the Legal Definition of Complicity, C.R.S. 18-1-603?

The legal definition of Complicity, C.R.S. 18-1-603, in Greeley is:

A person is legally accountable as principal for the behavior of another constituting a criminal offense if, with the intent to promote or facilitate the commission of the offense, he or she aids, abets, advises, or encourages the other person in planning or committing the offense.

Simply put, if a person is involved in a crime in any way, whether that be in planning, encouraging or helping, they can be charged the same as the person who committed the criminal offense. An example of this is if Dave robbed a bank and his friend Mitch helped him get the maps of the bank and the ski mask, but did not actually rob the bank. Mitch could still be criminally charged as being Complicit (as an Accomplice) in the Robbery.

What is the Definition of Being an Accessory to a Crime, C.R.S. 18-8-105, in Weld County?

In Weld County, the definition of Accessory to a Crime, C.R.S. 18-8-105, is:

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.

This means that a person can be charged with being an Accessory to a Crime of they protect or help a person after a crime so that they do not get caught or arrested. An example of this is if Susie tells the police that her roommate Dan is in Windsor, when they come to arrest him for Harassment.  Her intent being that he can have more time to escape to a different state. Susie could be charged with being an Accessory to a Crime.

What is the Difference Between Being an Accomplice to a Crime and Being an Accessory to a Crime in Greeley and Windsor, Colorado?

The differences, in Greeley and Windsor, between Being an Accomplice (Complicit) and being and Accessory to a Crime is when you are helping the person who commits the crime. Being an Accomplice or Complicit means that you are aiding, encouraging, or helping another person commit a crime either before or during the crime. Being an Accessory to a Crime is help after the crime is already committed.

What are the Penalties and Sentence to Complicity / Accomplice in Weld County?

When you aid another person or are Complicit to a Crime in Weld County, as a defendant you can be charged for the crime as if you were the one who committed it. When charged, the sentence and penalties for the criminal charge will be the same as if you committed the actual crime. Your actual penalties and sentence as a Complicitor in the Crime depend on the actual crime you were aiding.

In Greeley, Colorado, What are the Penalties and Sentence for Accessory to a Crime? </br> A Bit Different Under C.R.S. 18-8-105

In Greeley, when you are charged with being an Accessory to a Crime, the crime was already committed prior to your involvement.  In this case, the sentence and penalties first depend on whether to the crime was a felony or misdemeanor. If the crime was felony, then the defendant convicted with Accessory would face a felony sentence and penalties as follows:

If the person committing the crime has committed, is convicted of, or is charged with a class 1 or 2 felony, then the accessory will be charged with a class 4 felony;

If the person committing the crime is suspected of or is wanted for committing a class 1 or 2 felony, then the accessory will be charged with a class 5 felony;

If the person committing the crime has committed, is convicted of, is charged with, is suspected of or is wanted for a class 3, 4 or 5 felony, then the accessory will be charged with a class 5 felony – except that a class 6 felony remains a class 6 felony.

A conviction for being an Accessory to a Crime when the crime was a misdemeanor, has a sentence as a petty offense with penalties of up to 10 days in the Weld County Jail and/or up to $300 in fines.

People often make mistakes and help people, and this can lead to the charges of Being an Accomplice to a Crime and Being an Accessory to a Crime. The experienced attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office have over 30 years of experience and understand that everyone makes mistakes. Do not let a mistake have a lasting effect on your future.

If you or a loved one are facing charges of Being an Accomplice to a Crime and Being an Accessory to a Crime and are headed to the Weld County Courthouse, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent. Do not talk to the Greeley Police since they are not there to help you but to close a case with you as the defendant. Contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009.

The Weld County Courthouse is located at 901 9th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado. We will see you there.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko