accessory after the fact

law

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July 23, 2026

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In criminal law, an accessory after the fact is someone who knowingly assists a person who has already committed a crime. This assistance can include harboring, protecting, or aiding the offender. While historically considered an accomplice, modern U.S. law generally treats this act as a separate crime, such as obstruction of justice, rather than direct complicity in the original offense. The punishment for an accessory after the fact is typically less severe than that for the principal offender, except in cases of treason or sedition.12

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accomplice
An accessory after the fact is often not considered an accomplice but is treated as a separate offender. Such an offender is one who harbours, protects, or assists a person who has already committed an offense or is charged with committing an offense. Usually the offense…
Read More
An accessory after the fact is often not considered an accomplice but is treated as a separate offender. Such an offender is one who harbours, protects, or assists a person who has already committed an offense or is charged with committing an offense. Usually the offense…
Read More