If you are facing a charge of aiding an offender it is imperative that you have a lawyer with a proven track record in defending against serious criminal charges. Jeff Dean has that record, and he is known as one of the most successful and respected lawyers in this area of the law. He has won cases ranging from aiding an offender, murder, and manslaughter, to assault, drug cases, and DWI. Jeff has had the courts strike down laws as unconstitutional, won precedent-setting cases, and has been featured in the national and local news. Judges have praised Jeff for his success and tenacity, and other lawyers often consult with Jeff in the evaluation of their client’s cases.
In a recent aiding an offender case, Jeff Dean’s client was charged with aiding a person who allegedly shot four people. In his investigation of the case, Jeff Dean determined that the prosecutor had identified the wrong person as the gunman, and he successfully argued at trial that it is impossible to be an accomplice to a person who committed no crime. Jeff’s client was found NOT GUILTY.
In your case, Jeff Dean will personally identify the best strategy and he will fight to win. Depending on the circumstances of your case, he may prove that:
- Your actions were not done with the intent to aid or assist the other person avoid arrest or escape prosecution;
- You did not know the principal had committed a crime or had a warrant, and your acts were not intended to help that person avoid arrest;
- You did not destroy evidence or provide false statements, and if you did do so it was not intentional or was not done with the intent to obstruct an investigation;
- You acted under duress (the threat of violence to yourself or others);
- Your statement to police can’t be used against you because it was taken in violation of your Miranda and due process rights;
- The evidence seized is inadmissible because it was the product of an illegal search or invalid search warrant.
The Aiding an Offender statute has three subdivisions addressing three types of accomplice offenses. The first subdivision provides that: (a) Whoever harbors, aids, or assists another person, (b) knowing that person has committed a crime, probation or parole violation, (c) with the intent to help the person avoid arrest or escape prosecution, is guilty and can be sentenced to three years in prison and a $5000 fine.
The second subdivision states: (a) Whoever aids another person who he or she knows has committed a crime; (b) by concealing evidence, providing false statements or in any way obstructing the investigation, is an accomplice after the fact and may be sentenced to one half the maximum that could be imposed on the principal offender.
The final subdivision provides that a person is guilty if he or she takes responsibility for the criminal acts of another if done with the intent to obstruct or impede an investigation. Here again the person can be sentenced to up to one half of the maximum sentence which could be imposed on the principal.
A conviction for Aiding an Offender carries serious consequences. To protect your future, call Jeff Dean today. (612) 305-4360.