Is Aiding and Abetting a Felony or Misdemeanor?

Facing an aiding or abetting charge in Las Vegas can be scary. Clients often wonder, “Is aiding and abetting a felony or misdemeanor?”

In Nevada, aiding and abetting refers to assisting, encouraging, or facilitating another person in committing a crime. The severity of these charges depends on the crime itself, and the penalties can range from fines to lengthy prison sentences.

Whether you were accused of being directly involved or providing support, a strong legal defense can make a significant difference. Call the criminal defense lawyers at Adras & Altig today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

What is Aiding and Abetting in Nevada?

What does aiding and abetting mean? This is when someone intentionally assists or encourages another person to commit a crime.

Under Nevada law, someone who aids, abets, counsels, or advises another person to commit a criminal act is legally just as guilty as the person who actually committed the crime. In other words, if you help in any way, you could be charged with aiding and abetting under its definition. This includes actions like providing tools, information, or support. It also covers direct involvement in the crime.

However, someone’s mere presence at a crime scene doesn’t mean they’re automatically guilty of aiding and abetting. Prosecutors have to prove that you intentionally encouraged the crime.

Aiding and abetting charges can apply to many kinds of crimes. The penalties you face will typically depend on the underlying crime and your degree of criminal intent. 

Examples of Aiding and Abetting

Aiding and abetting can take many forms. Some common aiding and abetting examples include the following:

• Planning a crime
• Encouraging someone to commit an illegal act
• Driving a getaway car during a criminal activity
• Acting as a lookout for a criminal venture
• Providing tools and resources to commit a crime
• Lying to law enforcement to help a criminal

Penalties for Aiding and Abetting in Nevada

Under Nevada law, the punishment for aiding and abetting is usually the same as the underlying crime. For example, if you intentionally provided a gun to someone whom you knew would commit a first-degree murder, you could receive the same penalties as the actual murderer. 

The one exception to this rule is aiding and abetting a second-degree kidnapping. In this case, the principal kidnapper would be subject to two to 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Aiding and abetting a second-degree kidnapping carries the same potential prison sentence but no fine.

Defenses for aiding and abetting can hinge on whether you knowingly helped commit the criminal offense. If you had no knowledge of the crime or withdrew your involvement, you may be able to avoid penalties. Similarly, if the crime had already been committed before you helped, it’s not aiding and abetting; you’d be an accessory after the fact.

The best way to determine which defenses could be available for your aiding and abetting charge in Las Vegas is to call the criminal defense attorneys at Adras & Altig.

Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer at Adras & Altig for Help

Don’t face criminal charges on your own. Adras & Altig has been helping Nevadans fight charges for over a decade. Call us for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to discover how we can help protect your rights.