Know the Terminology in an Investigation

After the horrific shooting spree at Brown University, police were quick to release pictures of an individual they called a person of interest. That man was held and released quite quickly, and four days later another video was released in the hopes that the public could help law enforcement get in touch with another individual identified as a person of interest. It all has resulted in a lot of public conversation about the mysterious person in the video, as well as in what it means to be a person of interest.

Common Terms Worth Understanding

When it comes to criminal law, most Americans are familiar with much of the lingo thanks to T.V. and movies. But being familiar with the language and truly understanding it can often be two very different things. So let’s take a look at some of the most common terms in the news these days:

Person of Interest

Though not a legal term, person of interest refers informally to a person that law enforcement would like to talk to in relation to a particular case. It is a designation that helps law enforcement gather intelligence without ever having to formally accuse the person. Furthermore, police do not need probable cause, which is required when making an arrest. Ultimately, that person may have information pertinent to the case and may become a witness, an accomplice, or a suspect.

Accomplice

An accomplice to a crime is an individual who knowingly aids and abets someone else in committing a crime. Generally, that can make the accomplice liable for the crime even if they were not directly involved—meaning they could wind up with the same penalties as the principal in the crime.

Principal 

The person who actually commits the crime is called the principal in the first degree, while any accomplices who were present or who assisted are known as principals in the second degree.

Suspect

When law enforcement has evidence pointing to a particular person in a crime, that person is a suspect. Beyond simply being a person of interest, police typically have reasonable grounds to believe that the suspect is the person responsible for the crime, even if they don’t yet have enough to formally charge that person.

Unsub 

Another informal term, unsub, is shorthand for “unidentified subject.” It refers to perpetrators whose identity remains unknown.

Perp

A perp is the person who actually committed the crime—short for perpetrator.

When an Investigation Points to You 

If law enforcement is looking at you and winds up charging you with a crime, it could change your life entirely. Your best bet is to hire a local, experienced criminal defense attorney.  At Lobo Law, our Las Vegas criminal defense lawyers fight for the best possible outcomes for you. Schedule a confidential consultation in our Las Vegas office today.

Source:

nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/brown-university-suspect-shooting-death-mit-professor-live-updates-rcna249937