Aiding & Abetting a Crime

Is it possible to be charged with a crime and imprisoned when you clearly did not commit that crime?  You bet it is! That’s because under Nevada law, if you so much as help, encourage, induce or counsel someone else who does commit the crime, you could be found liable just as much as the actual perpetrator! Even if you’re nowhere near the scene of the crime when it occurs, you could be found guilty. And Nevada’s laws are no harsher than federal law when it comes to aiding and abetting a crime—you could still be charged with the crime for helping the principal in their actions.

Elements of the Crime 

The crime of aiding and abetting is very real, but there are certain components that must be proven in order for a prosecutor to get a guilty verdict:

• The principal did, indeed, commit the underlying crime.
• The person aiding and abetting knew the intent was to commit the crime;
• The person aiding and abetting had the clear intention of helping the principal commit the crime;
• There was clear assistance/participation in the commission of the underlying criminal activity.

 In other words, a prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that one knowingly endeavored to make the criminal offense a successful undertaking, and contributed to the venture in some way toward that end.

Examples 

What are some ways in which you could aid and abet a crime and find yourself finding the same penalties as the person who actually committed the crime? Just a few examples include:

• Assisting in covering up the crime;
• Providing information about the schedule of guards at a bank;
• Luring someone into the vicinity in order to facilitate an assault;
• Giving someone a weapon that you know will be used in a crime;
• Being the lookout while someone breaks into a store;
• Driving a getaway vehicle after a crime is committed.

Being an Accessory After the Fact 

Helping a criminal after a crime has been committed can get a person into serious trouble, as well.  Examples of being an accessory after the fact include:

• Making up an alibi to cover someone’s tracks after they committed a crime;
• Getting rid of evidence of the crime;
• Giving the criminal money to get away from police;
• Letting the criminal hideout in your home or helping them to escape by loaning them your car;
• Receiving goods that you know are stolen;
• Making false statements to police.

Being Sorry is No Defense 

You may regret having helped a criminal get away with their activities, but that’s not going to stop a prosecutor from going after you.  Now, more than ever, you need a creative, knowledgeable, and experienced criminal defense attorney willing to go to bat for you. The dedicated Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys at Lobo Law will fight to achieve the best outcomes for you.  To discuss, schedule a confidential consultation in our Las Vegas office today.

Source:

leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-195.html