We all want to help our loved ones, especially when they are in trouble. However, if your friend or family member has committed a crime in Oklahoma, you can find yourself in trouble too.
Depending on the type of crime they committed and what help you offered, you may be an accessory to a felony in Oklahoma City. If you’ve done something to assist someone else get away with a crime, get in touch with us today.
What is an “Accessory?”
An “accessory” to a crime in Oklahoma is considered anyone who conceals or aids the offender. This is a very broad definition, and can land a lot of well-meaning people in trouble.
For example, Jason has just committed a felony and tells his girlfriend about it. Panicked, she lets him into her house and does not tell anyone that Jason is there. She can be charged as an accessory to a felony in Oklahoma City for concealing or aiding Jason by allowing him to stay at her house.
The primary elements of an accessory charge are that the person:
1) knew the offender committed a crime and,
2) acted with the intent that the felon may avoid or escape from arrest, trial, conviction, or punishment. (Ok. Stat. Tit. 21 Sec. 173).
Note that anyone who assists someone convicted of a misdemeanor crime is not considered to be an “accessory.”
Penalties for Accessory to a Felony in Oklahoma City
Anyone convicted of being an accessory to a felony in Oklahoma City will face the following consequences:
- If the underlying offense is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary for four (4) years or more, the person guilty of being an accessory shall be subject to imprisonment in the penitentiary for a term not exceeding one-half (1/2) of the longest term prescribed upon a conviction for the underlying offense;
- If the underlying offense is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary for any time less than four (4) years, the person guilty of being an accessory shall be subject to imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one (1) year;
- If the underlying offense be punishable by a fine only, the person guilty of being an accessory shall be subject to a fine not exceeding one-half (1/2) of the largest amount of money which may be imposed as a fine upon a conviction of the underlying offense;
- If the underlying offense be punishable by both imprisonment and a fine, the offender convicted of being an accessory shall be subject to both imprisonment and fine, not exceeding one-half (1/2) of the longest term of imprisonment and one-half (1/2) of the largest fine which may be imposed upon a conviction of the underlying offense; and
- If the underlying offense be murder in the first degree, the accessory thereto shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five (5) years nor more than forty-five (45) years. If the underlying offense be murder in the second degree, the accessory thereto shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty-five (25) years.
(Ok. Stat. Tit. 21 Sec. 175)
Initial Consultation: Oklahoma City Felony Attorney
Even when your intentions are good, you may be in serious trouble if authorities believe you were an accessory to a felony in Oklahoma City. To get solid legal representation on your side, don’t hesitate to get in touch with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
For a confidential and low-cost consultation, simply call the Criminal Defense Law Office of Oklahoma City at (405) 588-4529 (588-4LAW).
If you prefer, send your question directly to an Oklahoma felony defense attorney by using the contact form at the top right side of this page.