Stupid question I know but I just always wondered?

Question

I know in mobster movies bodyguards always seem to be enforcers or security/ management of illegal activities also thus making them criminals any way you cut it but I always wondered if a person was just the drive and/ or bodyguard of a Mob boss like Al Capone would they still be criminals. I guess to me it seems silly to have security enforcement and management all intermingled like you see in the movies. My question again is if your a mob enforcer or run an illegal enterprise your breaking the law and thus a criminal but are you still a criminal if all you do is bodyguard the criminal or drive them around? Another way to look at it is if Michael jachson or the rat pack sang for the mob or in their clubs should they be listed a criminals after all the rat pack could pack a casino which likely would line the pockets legally or illegally of some gangster in the old days so would the rat pack be considered criminals for aiding & abidding or contributing to a criminal

I said it was a stupid question but at the same time it can be gray. First look at the movie the godfather never when the Don or Michael are talking business or making plans are the bodyguards around and never do either actually carry out the crimes thus driving the Don from part A to B can be perfectly legal also accordingly is it aiding and abedding when the Funeral director prepares Sammy for burial then? Obviously if a bodyguard is in the room when the plans are being laid or if the boss whacks someone but if their not or the boss sends other people to do the dirty work are they still criminals simply protecting a person. Would a cop assigned to protect a mayor be a criminal if they mayor was rumored to be corrupt? It is a possibity.

Answer 1

If you are with them, as their body guard, when they commit the crime then you can be tried as an accomplice in some states the accomplice can get the same sentence as the main perpetrator.

Answer 2

Yours is a very convoluted question which sort of veers of what you started out asking. In the case of performers....they are working for a casino (in your example) which, although run by organized crime, is supposedly legit. Therefore, no, they are not considered criminals for performing there, although it does, ultimately, mean dollars for the mob. A chauffeur would not be a criminal if all he did was drive the criminal around and if he was employed and paid wages as a chauffeur. However, I can assure you that an employed chauffeur would not be the one driving the car in the commission of a crime, so, therefore, the driver would be an accomplice. A criminal's "security" (or "muscle") are also not hired from security agency....they are promoted through the ranks of criminals around the "boss", so Yes, they, too, are criminals.

Answer 3

I would say of course a body guard or driver are criminals. They're assisting in the commission of crimes and are aware of exactly what's going on. They are accomplises in the eyes of the law. I think your example about the Rat Pack is pretty far fetched. I don't see them the same at all.

Answer 4

They pretty much know the goings on, they're not some morons off the street that were "hired" like a square job. Therefore they are conspirators/associates and could be called to testify.

Answer 5

I think that it just depends on the situation!!!! But if you were there bodyguard and you knew who these people were then you know what they do is illegal.................there for u would have acknowlefdge so that would be illegal

Answer 6

Yes, they would be...it's called "aiding & abetting". Friends who are not involved in the criminal activities are NOT criminals...but could choose their friends better.

Answer 7

in the movie you saw them getting killed but not one getting caught have you wonder why too?

Answer 8

Nope, they are not, at least that's what I think.