accessory after the fact

In one sentence

Helping a criminal escape or hide after they've committed a crime.

Plain English

An accessory after the fact is someone who knows a crime has been committed and then helps the criminal avoid arrest, prosecution, or punishment. This might mean hiding them, destroying evidence, or helping them flee. You don't have to have been involved in the original crime—you just need to knowingly help the person who did it get away. This is itself a separate crime in most jurisdictions.

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Example

A man robs a convenience store. His brother, knowing what happened, lets him hide in his basement for a week and gives him money to leave town. The brother can be charged as an accessory after the fact.

Used in a sentence

“She was charged as an accessory after the fact for helping her friend destroy evidence of the assault.”

Related terms

accomplice

Someone who knowingly helps another person commit a crime.

concealment

The act of hiding or keeping secret something that should be disclosed, especially in legal matters.

incriminating statement

A statement made by someone that suggests they committed a crime or participated in criminal activity.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

The legal principle that a defendant is presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

guilty plea

A defendant's admission in court that they committed the crime(s) charged, typically resulting in conviction without trial.

judgment

The court's final decision in a criminal case, determining guilt or innocence and imposing sentence.

Stand Your Ground

A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.

Castle Doctrine

A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.