In some states, someone who “aids and abets” another in the commission of a crime will be charged as an accomplice, but they won’t face nearly the same consequences as the principal actor.
Michigan, however, does things a little bit differently. In this state, if you intentionally assist someone in the commission of a crime in any way, you can be tried and, if convicted, punished as if you were acting alone.
What are some examples of accomplice crimes?
You can aid and abet someone in a crime in many ways, including:
- Telling someone the passcode to the company’s safe deposit box and looking the other way when they use it
- Warning someone that the neighbor’s house has a security camera on the front door – but not the back – knowing that they intend to rob it
- Driving the “get-away” vehicle for a friend when you know they’re going inside a convenience store to rob it
- Helping your sibling hide from the police when you know that there is an arrest warrant out for them
A lot of times, people get caught up in situations that lead to them becoming accessories to a crime simply because they’re unprepared to put the brakes on a situation that involves a good friend or relative. In other cases, they’re simply too scared to refuse to help the other party.
Since Michigan makes no distinction between the primary offender and their accomplice, that raises the stakes significantly. If you’re facing charges for aiding and abetting a crime, you would be wise to seek immediate legal guidance.