If I take a neighbor shopping since she no longer drives and she was caught shoplifting, could I be considered an accomplice?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If I take a neighbor shopping since she no longer drives and she was caught shoplifting, could I be considered an accomplice?
She was recently caught shoplifting at a store within walking distance of where we live.
Asked on November 15, 2012 under Criminal Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
You could certainly be charged as an accomplice. To be an accomplice requires a criminal intent--in this case, an intent to further or help the crime. If you are the driver for a known shoplifter, the police could certainly believe that you intended to help her and charge you. You'd only be convicted if the authorities could then, in trial, show that you intended to help her shoplift, or alternately--and here's where it gets worse for you--that you knowingly disregarded a substantial risk that you'd be aiding a crime (that is, you disregarded a substantial risk that she would shoplift). Therefore, doing this could expose you to criminal prosecution and potentially even criminal liability.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.