If you participated in a crime, you could be charged with being an accomplice or an accessory to the crime. It all depends on your level of involvement. Both are severe charges, and you could face serious legal penalties if convicted.
Under Arizona law, an accomplice is someone who actively participates in a crime either before or during its commission. You do not have to take part in the crime itself. You can be an accomplice if you help plan the crime, provide tools or other assistance or even encourage someone to commit the crime.
An accessory to a crime, on the other hand, is someone who helps after the crime has been committed. This may include hiding a suspect, giving them money to evade the police or covering up for them. However, you must have known that they committed the crime when you helped them to be charged as an accessory.
The legal penalties if convicted
Accomplices are treated just like the other person who carried out the crime. In other words, the law treats you like the perpetrator. The legal penalties depend on the offense under consideration.
An accessory is charged separately from the crime itself, and the legal consequences are usually less severe compared to an accomplice. Again, it comes down to the particulars of your case.
What are the possible defenses?
Some defense strategies that may apply include arguing lack of knowledge or intent, coercion or duress, withdrawal from the crime and mistaken identity. The list goes on and on, but it all comes down to the specifics of your case.
Reaching out for legal guidance when facing such serious charges can help protect your interests and increase the odds of a desirable outcome.