Legal Definitions - compounding a crime

Definition: Compounding a crime is a type of crime that involves judicial procedure. It is a misdemeanor that occurs when someone enters into an agreement for valuable consideration that they will not prosecute another individual for a felony. It can also occur when someone conceals the whereabouts of a felon or the commission of a felony. This is different from misprison of a felony.

• John is robbed at gunpoint by his neighbor, Tom. Tom offers John $10,000 to not report the robbery to the police. If John accepts the money and agrees not to report the crime, he is compounding a crime.
• Sarah's brother is wanted by the police for committing a robbery. Sarah knows where her brother is hiding but refuses to tell the police. By concealing her brother's whereabouts, Sarah is compounding a crime.

These examples illustrate how compounding a crime occurs when someone agrees to not report a felony or conceals the commission of a felony. It is important to note that compounding a crime is illegal and can result in criminal charges.