Giving A Criminal A Ride Can Send You To Prison

Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorney

Giving A Criminal A Ride Is A Crime And Can Send You To Prison

A passenger asks a Raleigh driver to pull over. The passenger gets out of the car, approaches someone on the sidewalk, robs him at gun point, runs back to the car and they drive away. The Raleigh driver did not know the passenger was going to rob someone in advance and only began to suspect something was wrong when the passenger ran back to the car. When the Raleigh driver realized what had happened and continued to transport the passenger, the Raleigh driver committed the crime of Accessory After the Fact to Robbery with a dangerous weapon. If the Raleigh driver had put the passenger out of the car immediately after realizing what had happened, then the Raleigh driver would not be guilty of be being an Accessory. Or, if the driver was afraid of the passenger, the driver could have stopped the car and run away on foot to avoid participating in the crime. The law requires the Raleigh driver to withdraw from the criminal activity as soon as he realizes that the passenger committed a crime. Knowingly allowing a criminal to stay at your home also makes you guilty of being an Accessory because you are helping the criminal avoid being caught by the police. Even keeping or disposing of evidence makes you an Accessory because it hinders the officer's ability to gather evidence and makes it more difficult for the prosecutor to convict the criminal. Helping a criminal flee, hiding him from officers, or disposing of evidence will allow prosecutors to charge you with being an Accessory After the Fact. You are not legally required to volunteer information about a crime to the police as long as you do nothing to hinder or delay the officer's work. If you tell the officer you don't know where a suspect is when you do, you may have committed a crime. If you are worried you may be guilty of being an Accessory by accidentally assisting a criminal, speak to an attorney who specializes in criminal defense before you talk to the police.

5 Rules to Follow When an Officer Approaches You.

1. Say, "CAN I LEAVE?" If the officer says yes, then GO. 2. DO NOT talk to the officer. You may give him your name, address, telephone number and date of birth only. 3. Say, "I WANT TO SPEAK TO A LAWYER" to stop the officer from questioning you. 4. DO NOT consent when the officer asks you for permission to search your property. 5. Hire an Attorney who SPECIALIZES in criminal defense.

Please contact Raleigh NC Attorney Andrew McCoppin with any questions:

877-481-0011

andrew@mccoppinlaw.com

www.mccoppinlaw.com

Over 20 years experience defending people in North Carolina's State and Federal Courts.

Board Certified Specialist in North Carolina Criminal Law

Board Certified Specialist in Federal Criminal Law

Former Wake County Assistant District Attorney

Get help from your Raleigh criminal defense attorney today!