If you’re facing charges, the Cincinnati aiding and abetting lawyers at Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can help protect your rights. Call (513) 333-0014 today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced legal team.
Aiding and abetting cases in Cincinnati require a strong defense and a deep understanding of criminal law. With over 100 years of combined experience, our attorneys are prepared to defend you against these serious accusations.
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Why Choose Suhre & Associates to Help Me if I’m Arrested for Aiding and Abetting in Cincinnati, OH?
If you’re facing an arrest in Cincinnati, Ohio, the decision you make about who will represent you is one that can change your future. Trying to handle your case without strong legal representation puts your entire life at risk.
At Suhre & Associates, we offer more than what you’d get from an ordinary law firm:
- We have a former prosecutor and former police officer on our team, so we fully understand how cases are built against our clients.
- Our Cincinnati criminal defense lawyers have been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers “Top 100.”
- We’ve been rated 10.0 on Avvo, demonstrating the satisfaction of our previous clients.
Facing serious charges can feel overwhelming, but having the support you need can make the situation less stressful. When you’re ready to get help, contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with a Cincinnati criminal defense lawyer.
Overview of Aiding & Abetting in Ohio
In Ohio, the act of aiding and abetting is charged as “complicity.” If you help someone commit a crime, the law can find you guilty of complicity. This means you could be charged even if you did not physically commit the crime yourself.
You can face complicity charges if you help someone break the law in any way. This doesn’t just mean being at the scene or holding the stolen goods; it also means being aware of the potential consequences. Providing advice, encouragement, helping with plans, or even convincing someone else to participate in criminal activity are all examples.
Prosecutors Have to Prove a Crime Occurred
You can’t be convicted just because you talked about doing something illegal. The main person, sometimes referred to as the “principal,” must have actually committed a crime, or at least attempted to commit the crime but failed. Simply planning without taking action isn’t enough.
What Are the Penalties for Aiding & Abetting in Cincinnati, Ohio?
If you’re accused of complicity, the law treats it as seriously as it would if you were the person committing the crime. Whatever the underlying charge is determines what penalties you will face.
For example, if someone commits a first-degree felony and you assisted them in any way, you will also face charges for a first-degree felony.
Even if your involvement was just in planning the crime or encouraging someone else to do it, you are at risk of receiving the same sentence they do. For some crimes, that could mean a very lengthy prison term or, depending on the felony, the possibility of spending the rest of your life behind bars, regardless of whether you physically participated in the criminal act.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Arrested for Aiding & Abetting?
If you’re facing charges for aiding and abetting, you might feel uncertain and overwhelmed. This is normal, but make sure you don’t forget that you have the right to defend yourself. Some common defenses your criminal defense lawyer may raise on your behalf include:
Lack of Intent
One factor the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt is intent. A person can only be guilty of aiding and abetting if they acted with knowledge of someone else’s criminal plan and intended to help.
If you were present but didn’t know what was going on, or you did not intend to help commit a crime, that fact could be raised as a defense. Just being nearby, watching, or associating with people who later commit crimes isn’t enough for conviction.
No Actual Assistance Provided
Even if someone accuses you of providing help, intent alone is not enough. The prosecution also needs to demonstrate clear and concrete assistance. Simple verbal approval or vague encouragement may not be enough to obtain a conviction.
Withdrawal of Involvement (Renunciation)
People sometimes get involved with something and then change their minds, and the law recognizes this. You can show that you took steps to withdraw from the crime in a way that shows complete, voluntary renunciation of the criminal purpose. This might include reporting the plan to law enforcement or attempting to directly prevent the principal from committing the crime.
Fighting a charge of aiding and abetting depends heavily on the details of the situation. Ensure you obtain legal assistance as soon as possible.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Cincinnati Aiding & Abetting Lawyers
Defending against aiding and abetting charges takes determination and skill that only experienced defense lawyers have. Navigating the legal process can be challenging, but we have over a century of combined experience handling cases of this nature. You can count on us to develop a strong defense tailored to the facts of your case.
Contact Suhre & Associates to schedule a free case review with a Cincinnati aiding and abetting attorney.
