What does accessory mean in law?

The word accessory has two different meanings in the legal context. First, an accessory is someone who is connected to another person, either directly or through others, in order to assist them in their commission of a crime. For example, a getaway driver for a robbery is an accessory to the crime of robbery. The other meaning is that an accessory is someone who helps someone else avoid punishment for an offence. For example, a driver who provides a getaway car for a robbery without the knowledge of his

What does the word accessory mean in criminal law?

An accessory is someone who allows another person to avoid prosecution for a crime they committed. It is not a crime itself. However, an accessory can be charged with other crimes if they assist the primary offender. For example, if a gun is used in a robbery, the robbery itself is illegal, but accessories can be charged with accessory after the fact if they cover up the crime by cleaning or returning the stolen items. This doesn’t apply to the actual person who committed the robbery, however,

What does accessories mean in criminal court?

The term “accessories after the fact” refers to a person who, after the commission of a crime, helps conceal the crime or the identity of the perpetrator. For example, a getaway driver who helps a robbery victim escape after the robbery has been committed. Or, a drug dealer who helps a customer to conceal drugs.

What does accessory mean in civil law?

An accessory is a person who helps or encourages another person to break the law. To be held liable as an accessory, the accomplice must be aware of the crime being committed, but not legally involved in the commission of the crime. There are three degrees of accessories in criminal law. They are accessories before the fact, accessories at the time of the crime, and accessories after the fact.

What does accessory mean in criminal law?

There are numerous crimes that an accessory can help a person avoid being charged with. If a person knows about an illegal activity occurring, yet does nothing to stop it, they could be an accessory to that crime. For example, if a masked man breaks into a home, an accomplice could hold the homeowner at gunpoint to make sure no one alerts the police.