accessory after the fact
Helps criminals escape
An accessory after the fact is someone who helps a person they know has committed a crime, typically by hiding them or destroying evidence.
The term is legal jargon distinguishing this from an accessory before the fact, who helps plan or prepare a crime.
She was charged as an accessory after the fact for letting him hide in her basement.
- harboringConcealing or protecting someone
- secondary liabilityLegal fault through another
- after the factFollowing an event's occurrence
- coverProtect by overlaying
- fugitiveOne fleeing authorities
on the run · hiding evidence · lookout man · concealment · hide · mens rea · guilty knowledge · aiding · criminal liability · criminal charges · aiding and abetting · abetting · secret · shield · guilty · fear · criminal conspiracy · obstruction of justice
- criminal complicityaccomplice, aiding and abetting, co-conspirator, complicity, conspirator
accessory after the factprincipal
Chief school administrator
perpetrator · co-conspirator · mastermind · ringleader · accomplice
accessory after the factinformant
One who provides intelligence
whistleblower · cooperating witness · crime reporter · tipster · prosecutor
access, accession, accessible, accessibility, inaccessible, accessory, accessories, manufacture, manufactured