Under one definition of Illinois accountability law: A person is legally accountable for the conduct of another when either before or during the offense, and with intent to facilitate the offense, you solicit, aid, abet, agree, or attempt to aid another person in the planning or commission of the offense. 720 ILCS 5/5-2.

The State must prove your intent to facilitate by establishing either that (1) you shared the criminal intent of the principal offender; or (2) you and the principal offender had a common criminal design—i.e., you both intended to commit some other crime that was advanced by the crime charged. The state may infer common design from the circumstances surrounding the crime. The state need not show that you said words of agreement or that you actively participated.

Whether there is enough evidence to prove you were in on the crime is highly fact specific and may depend on the viewpoint of your particular judge. In one Illinois case, the court rejected evidence that defendant’s presence at the crime scene, knowledge that a crime had been committed and his subsequent flight amounted to accountability. (People v. Johnson, 2014 IL App (1st) 122459-B.) In People v. Ramos, the appellate court rejected a lower court’s interpretation of events, that the defendant had advance knowledge of a gang-related shooting, overturning his conviction.

If you have been charged with a crime, contact an experienced criminal law attorney immediately. An attorney can review your case for its best possible defense. Can the state prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt? Is there clear evidence of your involvement? Even if the evidence against you is overwhelming, an attorney who is respected in the courthouse may be able to negotiate a more favorable plea agreement than you could on your own.

If you have questions about this or another related Illinois criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

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Under Illinois accountability law, you can be charged with another’s crime when either before or during the offense, you solicit, aid, abet, agree or attempt to aid, such other person in the planning or commission of the offense” while intending to promote or facilitate the crime. (720 ILCS 5/5-2).

To prove a defendant intended to aid a crime, the State must show either (1) the defendant shared the criminal intent of the main defendant, or (2) there was a common criminal design. Under the common design rule, if “two or more persons engage in a common criminal design or agreement, any acts in the furtherance of that common design committed by one party are considered to be the acts of all parties to the design or agreement and all are equally responsible for the consequences of the further acts.” (See People v Fernandez). In other words, you can be charged with any crime your co-defendant commits even if you were nowhere in sight. The state may also prove you had a common purpose if you voluntarily joined a group that you knew intended to commit a crime.

One example of accountability law is People v Kessler. A defendant and two other men planned to burglarize a bar. The two men entered the bar while defendant waited in the car. Surprised by the bar owner, the men shot and wounded the owner, then fled on foot. Police chased them and one man shot at police. Although defendant remained in the car the whole time, he was convicted of the burglary and the attempted murders. (See People v Kessler).

If you are charged because of another’s crime, contact an experienced criminal law attorney immediately. Do not discuss your situation with the police or third parties. Any attempt to explain yourself might give the prosecution just the evidence they need to convict you as well as limit any potential defense.

As with most crimes, the State must prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Did you know what was going on? Maybe you gave the co-defendant a baseball bat because they told you they were going to play ball. Even if the evidence against you is overwhelming, an attorney who is respected in the courthouse, may be able to negotiate a better plea agreement than you could on your own.

If you have questions about this or another related criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

The post THE ILLINOIS LAW ON CRIMINAL ACCOUNTABILITY appeared first on A SKOKIE CRIMINAL LAWYER EXPLAINS THE LAW 1-847-568-0160.

Can you face the same charges as the guy who did the real damage?

Yes. Under Illinois accountability law, you can still be convicted even if you weren’t the one who really hurt the victim. If you engaged “in a common criminal design,” you can be responsible for anything that happens in carrying out that design. (See People v Boguslaw Czapla, 2012 IL App (2d) 110082.)

To convict you, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that: 1) you solicited, aided, abetted, agreed or tried to help someone commit a crime 2) either before or during the crime and 3) that you intended to do so. This is how a defendant who solicits a murder can be convicted of that murder even if he or she wasn’t near the crime scene.

If you are charged with a crime, contact a criminal law attorney immediately. An experienced attorney can review your case for the best possible defense. Did you intend to help commit a crime? Can the state prove you were involved? Even if the evidence is overwhelming, an attorney who is respected in the courthouse can often negotiate a better plea agreement than you could on your own.

If you have questions about this or another related criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.

(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)

The post “I DIDN’T REALLY DO ANYTHING”: HOW YOU CAN BE CONVICTED UNDER ILLINOIS ACCOUNTABILITY LAW appeared first on A SKOKIE CRIMINAL LAWYER EXPLAINS THE LAW 1-847-568-0160.