Correct.
And the sentence can be upwards of half the time somebody convicted of murder might serve.
Question: can you be an accessory to murder if you were not part of it, but you played a part in the killer getting away by pretending to be the murderer?
Yes, you can be considered an accessory to murder if you help the killer evade capture, such as by pretending to be the murderer. In legal terms, this is often referred to as being an **accessory after the fact**.
### Explanation:
- **Accessory After the Fact**: In most legal systems, an accessory after the fact is someone who knowingly assists a criminal in avoiding apprehension, prosecution, or punishment after the crime has been committed. By pretending to be the murderer, you could be obstructing justice or aiding the actual perpetrator in escaping, which qualifies as such assistance.
- **Elements of the Crime**: To be charged as an accessory after the fact, the prosecution typically needs to prove:
1. A crime (e.g., murder) was committed by the principal offender.
2. You had knowledge that the crime was committed.
3. You provided assistance to the offender with the intent to help them avoid arrest, trial, or punishment.
- **Examples of Actions**: Pretending to be the murderer could involve lying to authorities, providing a false confession, or taking actions to mislead investigators, all of which could help the actual murderer evade capture.
- **Legal Consequences**: Penalties vary by jurisdiction, but being an accessory after the fact is generally a serious crime, though typically less severe than the murder itself. For example:
- In the U.S., under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 3), an accessory after the fact can face up to half the maximum prison term or fine (or both) that the principal offender faces.
- State laws differ, but many treat it as a felony with potential imprisonment.
- **Jurisdictional Variations**: Laws differ by country and state. For instance, in some jurisdictions, this could also be charged as **obstruction of justice** or **aiding and abetting** depending on the specifics.
### Caveats:
- **Intent Matters**: You must have knowingly and intentionally helped the murderer escape justice. If you were coerced or unaware of the crime, you may not be liable.
- **Not Part of the Murder Itself**: Since you weren’t involved in planning or committing the murder, you wouldn’t be an accessory *before* or *during* the fact, but your actions afterward could still make you liable.
If you have a specific jurisdiction in mind (e.g., a U.S. state or another country), I can look into more precise legal definitions or case law. Would you like me to do that?