Abandonment of Children

The desertion and exposure of children, under two years of age, whereby their life is endangered or their permanent health injured. — Brown, For punishment for abandonment of children see Act XLV of 1860 (Penal Code), s. 317.

Read More

Abscond

The term “abscond” refers to a person leaving the jurisdiction of the courts in a secretive manner, or to lie concealed, in order to avoid the process of said courts. To hide, conceal or absent oneself secretly with the intent to avoid legal process. State v. Hunnicutt, 740 S.E.2d 906, 911 (N.C. 2013):  “The term […]

Read More

Accessory

Criminal Law.  A person who assists another in connection with a crime, but without being present when the crime is committed. At early common law, guilty parties to a felony crime were categorized as either principals or accessories.  The actor that perpetrated the crime was the principal in the first degree, and all others involved were accessories.  […]

Read More

Accessory After The Fact

Criminal Law.  An accessory after the fact is one who, with knowledge of the other’s guilt, renders assistance to a felon in the effort to hinder his detection, arrest, trial or punishment.  [Example: After A and B rob a bank, they meet C, who agrees to hide them in her basement until the police leave the area.  […]

Read More

Principal in the Second Degree

Criminal Law.  A principal in the second degree is one actually or constructively present at the scene of a crime who aids, counsels, commands, or encourages its commission.  For example, a principal second may be one who stands by with a gun while the principal in the first degree shoots one of the victims.  The principal in […]

Read More