It’s a common belief that if someone didn’t actually commit a serious crime, they can’t be held accountable for any aspect of it. However, you may be accused of conspiring to help someone else commit a crime, and it may be challenging to acquire the solid proof needed to show that you played no role in the commission of the offense. If you’ve been accused of helping someone commit or get away with a crime, you need legal help right away.

First, You’ll Need to Know What to Expect 

Directly committing a felony means you are the “principal” of the crime in legal terms. Anyone who assists you with a criminal offense in any way is referred to as the “accomplice.” Accomplices are often held to the same standard of criminal responsibility as the principal can be charged with the same or similar offenses. This becomes much more probable if anyone was killed or critically injured at the time the offense was committed.

You’ll Need to Understand What Types of Evidence Prosecutors Have Against You 

The attorney prosecuting your case has what is called the burden of proof; they must be able to clearly show how you were part of the criminal offense and to what degree your involvement impacted the success of the crime. They’ll need to illustrate: 

• The law recognizes your actions as criminal 
• You were the one who aided the principal in the crime; no one else could have done so 
• You willingly aided the principal without being under duress or that you knew or should have known you were acting illegally 

You should take the opportunity to collect as much information as possible that clearly contradicts the evidence being used against you by prosecutors. If you weren’t there when the crime was committed, you might have evidence in the form of a receipt or the testimony of a witness who can provide an alibi.

Another possibility is to distinctly demonstrate that you had no awareness of the crime nor any reasonable cause to believe it was being committed.

Your Best Defense Is an Experienced Maryland Criminal Lawyer 

At Britt Criminal Defense, we understand how difficult it can be for someone accused of being a criminal accomplice to prove their innocence. Our knowledgeable defense attorneys can help you increase your chances of receiving a favorable verdict. Call now for your consultation or to learn more at 443-944-5705.