Obviously, committing a crime will have serious consequences for those caught and found guilty. What people sometimes forget is that the mere association with a crime could also lead to criminal charges.
Here are three times this can be true.
1. Conspiracy to commit a crime
You and one or more others thought about committing a crime, but never actually went through with it. Surely that means you have nothing to answer for? Wrong. While you cannot be penalized for merely thinking about a crime, you can be charged if you take a concrete step toward committing it. Conspiracy charges could arise from securing a getaway car, securing a machine to carry out credit card fraud or a host of other actions.
2. Accomplice to a crime
You were at a bar when a fight broke out and someone ended up dead. You did not kill the person, one of your friends did. If the court feels you knowingly helped make that crime possible, you could face charges as an accomplice. For example, if you passed your friend the weapon they used.
3. Accessory to a crime
Your little brother comes home and tells you he’s in serious trouble. You tell him to get in the car and you drive him to some friends in another state so he can lay low until things blow over. You don’t want to see his life ruined over one dumb mistake. This act of love could see you charged as an accessory to the crime, for helping him avoid the police.
These charges are not always clear-cut. As much as a prosecutor may try to scare you into pleading guilty or providing them with information, you should remember that a strong defense may allow you to beat the charge altogether.
