What does "accessory after the fact" mean in Missouri law?

In Missouri law, an "accessory after the fact" refers specifically to someone who assists another person who has already committed a felony. This assistance typically involves helping the perpetrator evade arrest, conceal the crime, or otherwise benefit from the crime after it has been committed. The key element here is that the individual is offering support after the commission of the crime, not being involved in the crime itself or providing aid to the victim.

The other choices present different legal concepts. Assisting a crime victim after a crime does not involve the concept of being an accessory after the fact, as this pertains to helping victims rather than criminals. Helping someone hide stolen property can reference different charges related to possession of stolen goods or concealment, but it does not fully encompass the legal definition of an accessory after the fact. Planning a crime before it occurs describes the role of an accomplice or co-conspirator rather than an accessory after the fact, as it involves participation before the crime is committed. Thus, the definition of an accessory after the fact aligns with the idea that the individual is involved after the commission of a crime, specifically in relation to aiding someone who has already committed that crime.