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§ 7.85 24. Misprision of a Felony

 
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Misprision of a felony might be considered an aggravated felony under an obstruction of justice theory, see § 7.11(A), supra, or under a drug trafficking theory if the underlying offense is a drug trafficking offense.  See § 7.11(B), supra.  Under current law, however, it does not fall within any aggravated felony category.

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Fifth Circuit

INCHOATE OFFENSES - MISPRISION OF A FELONY - MISPRISION IS A SEPARATE OFFENSE, DISTINCT FROM THE UNDERLYING FELONY, UNLIKE AIDING AND ABETTING
Patel v. Mukasey, 526 F.3d 800, ___ (5th Cir. Apr. 29, 2008) ("Moreover, unlike the federal aiding and abetting statute involved in James, the federal misprision of a felony statute defines a separate offense, distinct from the underlying felony. See James, 464 F.3d at 510 n. 24 (citing Londono-Gomez v. INS, 699 F.2d 475, 476 (9th Cir.1983)). Thus, the fact that Patel was specifically indicted for misprision of a bank fraud is irrelevant to our inquiry of whether the statutory definition of the offense itself necessarily entails fraud or deceit.").
INCHOATE OFFENSES - MISPRISION OF A FELONY - ELEMENTS OF FEDERAL OFFENSE
Patel v. Mukasey, 526 F.3d 800, ___ (5th Cir. Apr. 29, 2008) (the elements of the federal offense of misprision of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4, were described as "(1) knowledge that a felony was committed; (2) failure to notify the authorities of the felony; and (3) an affirmative step to conceal the felony. See United States v. Adams, 961 F.2d 505, 508 (5th Cir.1992). "[U]nder the misprision statute, the defendant must commit an affirmative act to prevent discovery of the earlier felony." Id. "Mere failure to make known does not suffice." Id. at 508-09 (citation omitted). It is irrelevant whether at the time of concealment the Government had knowledge of either the crime or the identity of the perpetrator. Lancey v. United States, 356 F.2d 407, 409 (9th Cir.1966).").
INCHOATE OFFENSES - MISPRISION OF A FELONY - MISPRISION IS A SEPARATE OFFENSE, DISTINCT FROM THE UNDERLYING FELONY, UNLIKE AIDING AND ABETTING
Patel v. Mukasey, 526 F.3d 800, ___ (5th Cir. Apr. 29, 2008) ("Moreover, unlike the federal aiding and abetting statute involved in James, the federal misprision of a felony statute defines a separate offense, distinct from the underlying felony. See James, 464 F.3d at 510 n. 24 (citing Londono-Gomez v. INS, 699 F.2d 475, 476 (9th Cir.1983)). Thus, the fact that Patel was specifically indicted for misprision of a bank fraud is irrelevant to our inquiry of whether the statutory definition of the offense itself necessarily entails fraud or deceit.").
INCHOATE OFFENSES - MISPRISION OF A FELONY - ELEMENTS OF FEDERAL OFFENSE
Patel v. Mukasey, 526 F.3d 800, ___ (5th Cir. Apr. 29, 2008) (the elements of the federal offense of misprision of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4, were described as "(1) knowledge that a felony was committed; (2) failure to notify the authorities of the felony; and (3) an affirmative step to conceal the felony. See United States v. Adams, 961 F.2d 505, 508 (5th Cir.1992). "[U]nder the misprision statute, the defendant must commit an affirmative act to prevent discovery of the earlier felony." Id. "Mere failure to make known does not suffice." Id. at 508-09 (citation omitted). It is irrelevant whether at the time of concealment the Government had knowledge of either the crime or the identity of the perpetrator. Lancey v. United States, 356 F.2d 407, 409 (9th Cir.1966).").

 

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