If you’ve been accused of aiding and abetting in Tucson, Arizona, you’ll want to seek experienced help right away. At Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys, we’re ready to defend you, so call (520) 510-0439 today. You can also contact us online.
Aiding and abetting is a complicated charge that involves helping someone else commit a crime. If you are convicted, you might face jail time, fines, and significant collateral consequences. Don’t let a charge change your future; reach out for a free consultation with a Tucson aiding and abetting lawyer.
Why Choose Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys To Help Me if I’ve Been Accused of Aiding and Abetting in Tucson?
The team at Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys has the experience and know-how you need to help you throughout your criminal case.
Here’s why you should choose us:
- Legal experience: Our team has more than 45 years of experience defending clients just like you.
- Personalized attention: We pride ourselves on taking the time to listen to our clients’ stories and come up with a personalized, detailed case strategy.
- Proven results: We have secured favorable outcomes in many of the cases we have worked on, including reductions and even dismissals of charges.
- Clear communication: We’ll keep you informed throughout each step of the daunting process you face.
For help after an accident in Tucson, Arizona, reach out as soon as possible. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation with a Tucson criminal defense attorney.
What is Aiding and Abetting in Arizona?
Arizona’s aiding and abetting law is found in Arizona Revised Statutes 13-303, “criminal liability based upon conduct of another.” This statute makes a person criminally accountable for the conduct of another if:
- The statute defining the offense makes the defendant liable; or
- They intentionally caused the other person to commit the act; or
- They helped the other person commit the act or any other act which was reasonably foreseeable.
If causing a certain result is an element of the offense in question, the defendant can be held liable if they:
- Solicit or command another person to engage in the conduct, or,
- Aids, counsels, agrees to aid, or attempts to aid another person in planning or engaging in the conduct.
This law can be complicated, but a skilled criminal defense attorney will be able to break it down further for you and explain exactly how it applies to your situation during a consultation.
What Are the Penalties for Aiding and Abetting in Tucson, Arizona?
If you are found guilty of aiding and abetting, there is no set penalty. You can be charged as severely as if you committed the crime yourself, but penalties are highly discretionary.
Depending on your charges and whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, you might face:
- Jail or prison time: You may be sentenced to serve time in jail or prison, ranging from a few days to many years depending on the offense.
- Fines: You may be required to pay financial penalties ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
- Community service: You may be ordered to complete a certain number of community service hours for nonprofit or government organizations.
- Educational, treatment, or counseling programs: You may be required to complete programs such as substance abuse treatment, anger management classes, or parenting courses as part of your sentence.
- Loss of rights: You may face the loss of certain rights, such as firearm possession.
In addition to the penalties above, you might also face collateral consequences such as difficulty finding employment, difficulty finding housing, and more.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of Aiding and Abetting?
A criminal defense attorney will be able to evaluate your case and determine which defenses might work in your particular situation. Some common defenses to aiding and abetting charges are:
- Lack of intent or knowledge: You may be able to argue that you did not intend to help commit the crime or were unaware that a crime was taking place.
- False accusation: You may be able to show that you were falsely accused by someone who had a motive to shift blame.
- Mistaken identity: You may be able to argue that you were mistakenly identified as being involved in the crime when, in fact, you were not.
- Coercion: It might be possible to argue that the principal offender coerced you into helping.
- You only assisted after the crime: If you were only involved after the crime, you might be charged with accessory after the fact, a lesser charge.
The best way to learn what defenses might apply in your case is to reach out to a criminal defense attorney.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help if You’ve Been Accused of Aiding and Abetting
It’s important to have legal help on your side if you are accused of a serious crime like aiding and abetting. An attorney can help you by:
- Meeting with you and discussing your case
- Keeping you updated and informed throughout the proceedings
- Evaluating any possible defenses to your charges
- Fighting to get your charges dropped or even reduced
To learn more about how a criminal defense attorney can help after you’ve been accused of a crime, contact our team today.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Aiding and Abetting Defense Lawyer
Katsarelis Law Criminal Defense Attorneys is standing by, ready to help if you’ve been accused of aiding and abetting in Tucson, Arizona. We have more than 45 years of experience defending clients just like you. We’ll listen to your story and fight to protect your future and your rights.
To learn more about how we can help, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with a Tucson aiding and abetting lawyer.