{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "205.50", "citation": "Penal Law § 205.50", "heading": "Hindering prosecution; definition of term", "text": ["§ 205.50 Hindering prosecution; definition of term.", "As used in sections 205.55, 205.60 and 205.65, a person \"renders criminal assistance\" when, with intent to prevent, hinder or delay the discovery or apprehension of, or the lodging of a criminal charge against, a person who he knows or believes has committed a crime or is being sought by law enforcement officials for the commission of a crime, or with intent to assist a person in profiting or benefiting from the commission of a crime, he:", "1. Harbors or conceals such person; or", "2. Warns such person of impending discovery or apprehension; or", "3. Provides such person with money, transportation, weapon, disguise or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension; or", "4. Prevents or obstructs, by means of force, intimidation or deception, anyone from performing an act which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a criminal charge against him; or", "5. Suppresses, by any act of concealment, alteration or destruction, any physical evidence which might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person or in the lodging of a criminal charge against him; or", "6. Aids such person to protect or expeditiously profit from an advantage derived from such crime."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/205.50", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "As used in **§§ 205.55, 205.60, and 205.65**, a person **renders criminal assistance** when, intending to **prevent, hinder, or delay the discovery or apprehension of, or the lodging of a criminal charge against**, someone the person **knows or believes has committed a crime or is being sought by law enforcement** for a crime, or intending to **help that person profit or benefit from a crime**, the person:\n- **(1)** **harbors or conceals** that person;\n- **(2)** **warns** that person of impending discovery or apprehension;\n- **(3)** provides **money, transportation, a weapon, a disguise, or other means** of avoiding discovery or apprehension;\n- **(4)** uses **force, intimidation, or deception** to prevent or obstruct anyone from doing something that might aid discovery, apprehension, or the lodging of a charge;\n- **(5)** **suppresses physical evidence** by concealing, altering, or destroying it, where it might aid discovery, apprehension, or charging; or\n- **(6)** helps that person **protect or quickly profit from an advantage** gained from the crime. ★", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/205.50", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}