Accessory After the Fact: Va. Code 18.2-19

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What is an ‘accessory after the fact’ in Virginia?

You may be charged as an accessory after the fact if you help a friend, someone you know, or a stranger evade or elude police when they have committed a felony. Virginia Code states that:
Every accessory after the fact is guilty of (i) a Class 6 felony in the case of a homicide offense that is punishable by death or as a Class 2 felony or (ii) a Class 1 misdemeanor in the case of any other felony. However, no person in the relation of husband or wife, parent or grandparent, child or grandchild, brother or sister, by consanguinity or affinity, or servant to the offender, who, after the commission of a felony, shall aid or assist a principal felon or accessory before the fact to avoid or escape from prosecution or punishment, shall be deemed an accessory after the fact. Va. Code 18.2-19

What are the exceptions to this law?

This law exempts certain family members from being charged as accessories after the fact. This exception does not apply to other forms of conspiracy or being an accessory. The Commonwealth carries the burden to prove that a defendant knew the third party had committed a felony, and that the defendant had the intent to help the third party evade capture or prosecution.

Do you need an attorney?

If you have been charged as an Accessory, contact our dedicated Criminal Defense attorneys to talk about your options and how we can help you.

Locations we serve:

It is important for someone charged with Accessory after the fact in Virginia to hire a criminal lawyer who is close to the jurisdiction they are charged in. We are located right next to the Alexandria Courthouse and minutes away from Arlington, Fairfax, and Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) courts. Our firm handles these cases in many locations throughout Northern Virginia such as: Alexandria General District Court Arlington General District Court Fairfax County General District Court Prince William County General District Court Loudoun County General District Court Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Court

Virginia and D.C. Federal Crimes

Federal Assault Crimes

Assault on Law Enforcement: 18 U.S.C. 111

Simple Assault: 18 U.S.C. 113

Assault with Intent to Commit Murder: 18 U.S.C. 111

Domestic Assault: 18 U.S.C. 117

Maiming: 18 U.S.C. 114

Murder: 18 U.S.C. 1111-1122

Kidnapping: 18 U.S.C. 1201-1204

Domestic Violence and Stalking: 18 USC 2261-2266

Transportation for Illegal Sexual Activity: 18 U.S.C. 2421-2429

Human Trafficking

Sex Crimes

Aggravated Sexual Abuse: 18 U.S.C. 2241

Sexual Abuse of a Minor: 18 U.S.C. 2243

Sexual Abuse: 18 U.S.C. 2242

Federal Driving Crimes

Reckless Driving: 32 CFR 263.6

DUI

Hit & Run

Federal White Collar Crimes

Embezzlement: 18 U.S.C. 641-670

Blackmail: 18 USC 873

Other Federal Crimes

Terrorism: 18 U.S.C. 2231-2339(d)

Riots: 18 U.S.C. 2101-2102

Federal Drug & Alcohol Crime

Drug Distribution and Trafficking

Marijuana Possession: 18 U.S.C. 844

Prescription Fraud

Federal Weapons Offenses

Felon in Possession of a Firearm: 18 U.S.C. 922(g)

Weapon used in crime of violence of drug trafficking: 18 U.S.C. 924(c)

Sale of Firearms without a License: 18 U.S.C. 922(a)

Sale of Illegal Firearms: 18 U.S.C. 922

Making False Statements when Purchasing Firearm: 18 U.S.C. 922(a)(6)

Illegal Possession of Firearm: 18 U.S.C. 922(o)

Federal Cyber/Computer Crimes

Child Pornography

Federal Punishment and Procedure

Bond Procedures

Federal Misdemeanors

Failure to Appear: 18 USC 3146

9 Steps in a Federal Criminal Case