Complicity Lawyer Aggressively Defending Your Rights in Nassau County
Many crimes are committed by more than one person. By law, if a group of people are involved in the commission of a crime, each member of the group can be held criminally liable for the acts of other members. This is called accessorial liability, and it can lead to serious penalties.
If you are accused of being an accessory to a crime, it’s in your best interest to contact skilled complicity attorney Gianni Karmily as soon as possible.
What is Complicity?
In New York, the law states you have criminal liability for the conduct of another if you are complicit in the commission of a crime. You can be held criminally liable for the conduct of another individual if you request, ask, solicit, demand, or intentionally help that person commit a criminal offense.
There are many ways for you to be found criminally liable for the conduct of another person. Examples of complicity may include:
- Financing the commission of a crime
- Providing supplies or information to assist with the commission of a crime
- Helping the perpetrator hide or destroy the evidence of the crime
These are some of the many ways that your involvement in criminal activity could lead to criminal liability.
What Must Be Proven In A Complicity Case?
The state must prove several key points in order to prove complicity. To hold someone criminally liable, the state must show:
- Someone committed a crime.
- The defendant requested, asked, solicited, demanded, or intentionally assisted that person to engage in criminal conduct.
- The defendant did so while in the state of mind required to commit the criminal offense.
This means you cannot be held criminally liable for the conduct of others simply for being at the scene of the crime as it was committed. This is true even if you knew that the crime was taking place. Your presence and knowledge of the crime does not make you criminally liable for the actions of the person who committed the crime.
What Are the Penalties For Complicity in Nassau County?
The penalties that you will face for being complicit will vary depending on the type of crime you were involved in committing. If you are proven to be criminally liable for the conduct of another, you are just as guilty as the person who actually committed the crime. This means you will face the same charges and penalties as the person who committed the crime.
For example, if you hire a hitman to kill someone, you could be held criminally liable for the hitman’s conduct. This is because you solicited the hitman’s help in committing the crime. As a result, both you and the hitman can face murder charges, even though you were not the one who actually committed murder. In the eyes of the law, you will be treated the same as the person who actually committed the crime.
How Can An Attorney Help You Avoid Criminal Liability?
There are two main defense strategies that may be used to help you avoid criminal liability, including:
- State of mind: The law states you must be in the state of mind required for the crime in order to be criminally liable. For example, to commit first-degree murder, you must have the intent to kill the victim. If you were involved in the commission of this crime, but did not have the intent to kill someone, you cannot be held criminally liable.
- Accomplice actions: Attorney Gianni Karmily can also argue that your actions do not constitute accessorial liability. If you were simply watching the crime take place, for example, this does not make you criminally liable.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you will get off easy simply because you were an accessory rather than the perpetrator of the crime. In New York, both the accessory and perpetrator will face the same penalties, which is why you will need to seek legal representation from criminal defense attorney Gianni Karmily.
Schedule A Case Evaluation With Our Experienced Nassau County Complicity Attorney Today
Have you been charged with criminal liability for conduct of another? If you were complicit in the commission of a crime, you need to seek legal representation from complicity defense attorney Gianni Karmily right away. You may not have been the one to commit the crime, but you can still face serious consequences for your involvement. Let Gianni work tirelessly to help you protect your freedom. To schedule a case evaluation with Law Firm of Gianni Karmily, PLLC, call 516-630-3405 or fill out the form on this website.