Can an accomplice be charged with a more serious crime?

Yes, under certain circumstances, an accomplice can face the same or even more serious charges than the main offender. Louisiana criminal law holds that anyone who aids, abets, or helps commit a crime may be treated as equally responsible, even if they didn’t carry out the act themselves.

This legal principle is known as accomplice liability, and it applies even if the accomplice didn’t intend for the crime to escalate (such as when a robbery leads to a homicide). If you’re accused of helping someone commit a crime, a Lake Charles criminal defense attorney at The Johnson Firm can help you understand your rights and start building your defense.

What is the legal definition of an accomplice in Louisiana?

In Louisiana, an accomplice is considered a principal under the law. According to Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:24, anyone who is involved in the commission of a crime, whether they commit the act themselves, help someone else do it, or encourage the act in any way, can be charged as a principal. That includes people who assist with planning or transportation, or are otherwise involved before or during the commission of the crime.

Even if you did not commit the criminal act yourself, you may still face the same charges as the person who did. This legal principle is often called accomplice liability and can carry serious penalties depending on the nature of the offense.

Can an accomplice get a harsher charge than the main offender?

In rare cases, yes. Although unusual, it’s legally possible for an accomplice to receive a more serious charge or harsher sentence than the person who physically committed the crime.

This can happen if:

• The principal offender pleads to a lesser offense
• The accomplice has a longer criminal history
• The accomplice played a leadership role in planning or encouraging the crime

Each person’s case is judged individually in Louisiana, and courts consider the extent of involvement, intent, prior record, and the nature of the underlying offense.

What’s the difference between an accomplice and an accessory after the fact?

The terms are often confused, but they have important legal differences:

• Accomplice: Involved before or during the commission of a crime (aiding, planning, participating)
• Accessory after the fact: Helps after the crime, by hiding the suspect, destroying evidence, or helping them escape

Under Louisiana Revised Statute § 14:25, an accessory after the fact can be charged even if the main suspect is never caught. The law states:

An accessory after the fact is any person who, after the commission of a felony, shall harbor, conceal, or aid the offender, knowing or having reasonable ground to believe that he has committed the felony.

Punishment for being an accessory after the fact can include fines up to $500, imprisonment (with or without hard labor) for up to 5 years, or both. However, the sentence cannot exceed half the maximum punishment allowed by law for the principal offender.

What should you do if you’re charged as an accomplice?

If you’re charged as an accomplice, contact a criminal defense lawyer in Lake Charles immediately. You do not have to be the one who committed the crime to face incarceration or a lasting criminal record. Our team can help you investigate the facts and examine your involvement closely. From there, we work to reduce the charges or have them dismissed while protecting your rights at every step along the way.

Talk to a Lake Charles criminal defense lawyer today

If you have been accused of aiding someone in the commission of an offense or charged as an accessory after the fact, you deserve a strong defense. The Johnson Firm fights for people in Lake Charles and throughout Southwest Louisiana.

Call (337) 433-1414 or contact us online for a confidential consultation.