MISPRISION

In criminal law. A term used to signify every considerable misdemeanor which has not a certain name given to it by law. 3 Inst. 36. But more particularly and properly the term denotes either (1) a contempt against the sovereign, the government, or the courts of justice, including not only contempts of court properly so called, but also all forms of seditious or disloyal conduct and leze-majesty; (2) maladministration of high public ofllce, including peculation of the public funds; (3) neglect or light account made of a crime, that is, failure In the duty of a citizen to endeavor to prevent the commission of a crime, or, having knowledge of Its commission, to reveal it to the proper authorities. See 4 Bl. Comm. 119126. Misprision of felony. The offense of concealing a felony committed by another, but without such previous concert with or subsequent assistance to the felon as would make the party concealing an accessory before or after the fact 4 Steph. Comm. 260; 4 Bl. Comm. 121; Carpenter v. State, 62 Ark. 286, 36 S. W. 900. Misprision of treason. The bare knowledge and concealment of an act of treason or treasonable plot that is, without any assent or participation therein, for if the latter elements be present the party becomes a principal. 4 BL Comm. 120; Pen. Code Cal.