What are the elements of accessory after the fact? Contrast the common law view and the modern view of the extent to which accessories after the fact should be punished relative to the actual perpetrator of a crime.
What will be an ideal response?
There are four elements of an accessory after the fact: (1) commission of a felony, (2) knowledge that the individual whom he or she is assisting has committed a felony, (3) affirmative steps to hinder the felon's arrest, and (4) the criminal intent to provide assistance with the intent or purpose of hindering the detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of the individual receiving assistance. Under common law, accessories were charged with the same crime as the principals. The modern view is that because accessories after the fact are involved following the completion of a crime, they should not be treated as harshly as the actual perpetrator(s) or his or her accomplices.
You might also like to view...
The accurate location of evidence items on the sketches is essential to the ability to reconstruct a crime scene
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Commission of the crime of ___________ may be perpetrated through an intermediary
a. attempt b. adultery c. solicitation d. none of these
Throughout the history of the United States, ideas about punishment have remained roughly the same.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)
Gang-related crime and violence is decreasing as gangs employ the use of computers to make their drug deals
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.