Accessory to a Crime is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person is accused of taking some action to keep another from being arrested for a crime. A Colorado man is facing Accessory charges after trying to present himself as the driver of a vehicle that ran into a crowd in a parking lot, injuring four and killing one. According to the report, there was a gang related argument that broke out in the parking lot of a bar. Three men involved in the fight got into a white truck and drover through the crowd they had been arguing with. They were later apprehended, but at that point the man driving the truck and the truck’s owner was not the one who had driven through the crowd, according to witness statements. The owner must have somehow represented himself as the driver the whole time, because he is now facing charges of Accessory to Murder, Accessory to First Degree Assault and Accessory to Second Degree Assault.
Larimer County Accessory to Assault Lawyer: What Does it Mean to be an Accessory to a Crime in Colorado?
The Larimer County, Colorado, law definition of Accessory to Crime – C.R.S. 18-8-105 – is:
In order to understand this definition, you must know what ‘render assistance’ means.
(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.
While all the details were not provided in the article, I would guess that the ‘assistance’ the man charged with Accessory provided was under part (d) – deceiving law enforcement to try and keep the man from being apprehended. He may have told police he was the driver, and then when they pieced together witness statements and other evidence, it was discovered the other man was the driver.
Sentence for Accessory to Crime in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Accessory to Assault or other crime is charged based on the level of felony or misdemeanor the underlying crime is charged. For example, if the man who ran over the crowd is being charged with class 3 felony First Degree Assault, then Accessory to First Degree Assault is a class 5 felony. Generally, it is a step or two down from the charge level of the person who is accused of committing the actual crime.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Accessory to Assault or any crime, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Stephan Müller