Fort Collins Accessory to Crime Lawyer

Have you been charged with Accessory to Crime? Read more about these charges and how an experienced attorney can defend and protect you and your future.
Often, after a crime is committed, the Fort Collins Police and the Larimer County Sheriff look for anyone who might have played a role in the crime. This is usually how Accessory to Crime is charged. If law enforcement find out anyone helped the person who committed the crime after the crime was committed, Accessory to Crime is charged.

Fort Collins Accessory to Crime Attorney: What is the Definition of Accessory to Crime?

C.R.S. 18-8-105 – Accessory to Crime is defined by Colorado law as:

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.

Under Colorado law, “Render assistance” means to:

  • Harbor or conceal the person; or
  • Harbor or conceal the victim or a witness to the crime; or
  • 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
  • Provide such person with money, transportation, weapon, disguise, or other thing to be used in avoiding discovery or apprehension; or
  • 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
  • Conceal, destroy, or alter any physical or testimonial evidence that might aid in the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of such person.

Basically, if you help keep the police from locating the accused, a victim or witness, or any evidence, you can be charged with Accessory in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park.

Larimer County Accessory to Crime Attorney: What is the Sentence for Accessory to Crime?

In Larimer, Boulder, or Grand County, if the underlying crime is a felony, you will be charged with a lesser felony. If the underlying crime is a misdemeanor, you will be charged with a petty offense. The class schedule is as follows:

  • Class 4 felony– if the person you assisted has committed, has been convicted of, or is charged with a class 1 or class 2 felony.
  • Class 5 felony– if the person you assisted is suspected of or wanted for a class 1 or class 2 felony.
  • Class 5 felony– if the person you assisted has committed, has been convicted of, is charged with, is suspected of, or wanted for a class 3, 4 or 5 felony.
  • Class 6 felony– if the person you assisted has committed, has been convicted of, is charged with, is suspected of, or wanted for a class 6 felony.
  • Class 1 petty offense– if the person you assisted has committed, has been convicted of, is charged with, is suspected of, or wanted for any class misdemeanor.

Examples of Accessory to Crime in Loveland

If you give your friend the keys to your car so he can flee to another state after committing a Theft, you can be charged with Accessory. Or, if you pay for your family member to stay in a hotel room under your name so they can hide out from the police after a Burglary, you can be charged as an Accessory. Anytime you assist someone after a crime, you are putting yourself at risk for facing criminal charges.

So, if your friend is being sought by police, the safest help you can render is to have them be smart, exercise their right to remain silent, and call the experienced attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office, at 970-658-0007. If you or a loved one is being charged with Accessory to Crime, contact us for a free consultation. Together we can protect you and your loved one’s future.