What is Aiding and Abetting Criminal Activity?

Aiding and abetting involves providing assistance to someone accused of a crime.

The assistance must relate to the criminal activity, such as assistance preparing to commit the crime, covering up the criminal activity, or evading law enforcement.

What Constitutes Aiding and Abetting?

Aiding and abetting can be very similar to conspiracy.

Under state law, the crime of aiding and abetting is often referred to as accessory.

An individual can be an accessory before or after the commission of the crime.

Accessory before the fact means that the individual helps in preparation of the criminal activity.

Accessory after the fact means that the individual helps conceal or cover up the crime.