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:
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.