§ 3. Accessory after the fact

462 words·~2 min read·/usc/title-18/section-3

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Whoever, knowing that an offense against the United States has been committed, receives, relieves, comforts or assists the offender in order to hinder or prevent his apprehension, trial or punishment, is an accessory after the fact.

Except as otherwise expressly provided by any Act of Congress, an accessory after the fact shall be imprisoned not more than one-half the maximum term of imprisonment or (notwithstanding section 3571) fined not more than one-half the maximum fine prescribed for the punishment of the principal, or both; or if the principal is punishable by life imprisonment or death, the accessory shall be imprisoned not more than 15 years.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 684; Pub. L. 99–646, § 43, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3601; Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, § 3502, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4921; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §§ 330011(h), 330016(2)(A), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2145, 2148.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 551 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 333, 35 Stat. 1152).

The first paragraph is new. It is based upon authority of Skelly v. United States (C. C. A. Okl. 1935, 76 F. 2d 483, certiorari denied, 1935, 55 S. Ct. 914, 295 U.S. 757, 79 L. Ed. 1699), where the court defined an accessory after the fact as—

one who knowing a felony to have been committed by another, receives, relieves, comforts, or assists the felon in order to hinder the felon’s apprehension, trial, or punishment—

and cited Jones’ Blackstone, books 3 and 4, page 2204; U.S. v. Hartwell (Fed. Cas. No. 15,318); Albritton v. State (32 Fla. 358, 13 So. 955); State v. Davis (14 R. I. 281); Schleeter v. Commonwealth (218 Ky. 72, 290 S. W. 1075). (See also State v. Potter, 1942, 221 N. C. 153, 19 S. E. 2d 257; Hunter v. State, 1935, 128 Tex. Cr. R. 191, 79 S. W. 2d 855; State v. Wells, 1940, 195 La. 754, 197 So. 419.)

The second paragraph is from section 551 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. Here only slight changes were made in phraseology.

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IRM

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Public Law 94–426
To approve in whole or in part, with amendments, certain rules relating to eases and proceedings under sections 2254 and 2255 of title 28 of the United States Code

U.S. Code

§ 1660
Receipt of pirate property

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U.S. Code

Concealing or destroying invoices or other papers
§ 551

16 references not yet in our index

June 25, 1948, ch. 645
62 Stat. 684
Pub. L. 99–646, § 43
100 Stat. 3601
Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, § 3502
104 Stat. 4921
Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII
108 Stat. 2145
Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 333
35 Stat. 1152
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(2)(A)
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330011(h)
Pub. L. 101–647, § 3502
Pub. L. 101–647
Pub. L. 99–646
Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330011(h)

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cites case law

§ 3

Accessory after the fact

Fed. Reg.×6

IRM×5

Stat.×1

U.S.C.×1

U.S.C.§ 551

ActJune 25, 1948, ch. 645

Stat.62 Stat. 684

Pub. L.Pub. L. 99–646, § 43

Stat.100 Stat. 3601

Pub. L.Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, § 3502

Cites 17 · showing 6Cited by 13 across 4 sources