Which term describes the party who aids the principal after the crime by hiding or disposing of evidence?

Which term describes the party who aids the principal after the crime by hiding or disposing of evidence?

• A. Principal in the First Degree
• B. Accomplice
• C. Accessory After the Fact
• D. Conspirator

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how involvement in a crime is described based on when the help is given. An accessory after the fact is someone who, knowing a crime has been committed, aids the offender to avoid arrest or punishment—such as by hiding the offender or disposing of or concealing evidence. That behavior happens after the crime, which is why this term fits best. The person who actually commits the crime is the principal in the first degree. An accomplice is someone who helps to commit the crime before or during it, not after. A conspirator is someone who plans or agrees to commit the crime, typically before it happens.

The main idea here is how involvement in a crime is described based on when the help is given. An accessory after the fact is someone who, knowing a crime has been committed, aids the offender to avoid arrest or punishment—such as by hiding the offender or disposing of or concealing evidence. That behavior happens after the crime, which is why this term fits best. The person who actually commits the crime is the principal in the first degree. An accomplice is someone who helps to commit the crime before or during it, not after. A conspirator is someone who plans or agrees to commit the crime, typically before it happens.