An Accessory to a Crime charge can originate from lending a helping hand of any kind to someone you know that is involved in an offense. This past summer, two RTD security guards in their late twenties were arrested and charged with Accessory to a Crime involving assault in a bathroom. While the security guards didn’t commit the assault, they were in the bathroom and helped their friend commit the crime. Simply being present when a crime is committed and attempting to hide details can lead to severe consequences. It is essential that you hire the top rated attorneys at Sawyer Legal Group if you’re facing Accessory to a Crime charges in Adams County and throughout Colorado.
Definition of Accessory to Crime in Colorado
The definition of Accessory to a Crime – C.R.S. 18-8-105 in Denver, Colorado is:
(1) 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.
(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.”
Sentencing for Accessory to a Crime in Jefferson County
In Lakewood, depending on the original crime committed by someone else, you can be charged with a petty offense all the way up to a felony as an accessory. Let’s say a close friend calls you up asking for a place to crash for a while and he happens to be avoiding the police. You know that he is in trouble and has a warrant for his arrest. You can be charged with a class 5 felony by merely providing him with a roof over his head. Lending that same friend money or providing them with any form of transportation can also get you in serious trouble.
Adams County Criminal Defense Attorney Available To Help
We can provide you with experienced criminal defense attorneys who can analyze your unique situation. Don’t give a statement to police about your involvement with someone who has been charged or has an active warrant against them. Their crime can quickly become your reality.