Explaining misprision

There has been speculation about whether the wife of the Orlando shooter, who according to reports may have accompanied him on visits to at least one gun store and known that he was meditating violence, might be charged with an offense. According to Jack Chin at PrawfsBlawg, the offense of misprision (as distinct from aiding/abetting) as currently defined requires that the subject have taken affirmative steps to conceal another’s crime, not just failed to speak up on knowing.

One Comment

  • The crime of misprision of felony can only occur after the crime has been committed. The Federal crime is defined at 18 USC 4, and covers persons “having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony cognizable by a court of the United States…” Not intended commission, actual commission.