Compounding a felony was an offence under thecommon law of England and was classified as amisdemeanour. It consisted of a prosecutor or victim of an offence accepting anything of value under an agreement not to prosecute, or to hamper the prosecution of, afelony.[1] To "compound", in this context, means to come to a settlement or agreement.[2] It is not compounding for the victim to accept an offer to return stolen property, or to make restitution, as long as there is no agreement not to prosecute.
Compounding has been replaced by statutory provision in numerous jurisdictions that recognize common law offences:[3]
Compounding a misdemeanour is not an offence at common law.[8][better source needed] However, an agreement not to prosecute a misdemeanor is unenforceable as being contrary topublic policy.[9][verification needed]
Part of thecommon law series | ||
| Classes of crimes |  | |
| Inchoate offences | ||
| Defences | ||
| Offences against the person or state | ||
| Sexual offences | ||
| Criminal libel and kindred offences | ||
| Offences against property | ||
| Forgery, personation and cheating | ||
| Offences against justice | ||
| Death against family honour | ||
| Criminal behaviour |
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