What is Party to a Crime

Georgia Criminal Code 16-2-20 & 16-2-21

Party to a Crime

Before I get started, I must put this disclaimer in place. I’m not a lawyer this information comes from the Criminal Code of Georgia. My work over the past years has been in the criminal arena as an investigator.

The party to a crime statute is one that we must understand especially if you are the parent of teenagers. 

How the Statue Reads: Ga. Code 16-2-20 when a person is a party to a crime. (a) Every person concerned in the commission of a crime is party thereto and may be charged with and convicted of the commission of the crime. (b) A person is concerned in the commission of a crime only if he: (1) Directly commits the crime. (2) Intentionally causes some other person to commit the crime under such circumstances that the other person is not guilty of any crime either in fact or because of legal incapacity; (3) Intentionally aids or abets in the commission of the crime: or (4) Intentionally advises, encourages, hires, counsels, or procures another to commit the crime. Please pay attention to sections 3 & 4.

Prosecution of parties who did not directly commit the crime: Ga. Code, 16-2-21 Any person who did not commit the crime may be indicted, tried, convicted, and punished for the commission of the crime upon proof that the crime was committed and that he was a party thereto, although the person claimed to have directly committed the crime has not been prosecuted or convicted, has been convicted of a different crime or degree of crime, or is not amenable to justice or has been acquitted.

Finally, parents, you, and your teenagers need to understand that if they (your child) are with someone who commits a crime, they (your child) could also be charged. If this should happen to your loved one, please contact an attorney. Please give us (vmgreview.com) a thumbs-up, like, and a share.

Marvin Dixon/Founder

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